It’s an honor to speak with you today. Why don’t you give us some details about you and your story. How did you get to where you are today?
Throughout my life, I have gained valuable knowledge and skills from my parents, volunteer work, and various jobs.My parents were pastors and at any given time there could be a change in our family plans for the sake of ministry. This taught me how to be flexible. I was a candy striper when I was a teen; visiting patients, reading to them and bringing them some joy as they were healing. This taught me about caring for others. My high school and college jobs- working in a nursing home and the night shift at a local hospital my first couple of years at college taught me how to do the necessary things for those who could not care for themselves. I learned patience and provision. Little did I know that these experiences would become crucial in preparing me for my biggest challenge – supporting my husband when he suffered a brain bleed. I honed all of those skills I learned in order to serve my husband well as he continues to recover. Recognizing that my journey was similar to that of others, I decided to share my insights on navigating uncharted waters and establish a community of caregivers. By sharing my successes, I was able to offer strategies for avoiding burnout, managing stress, and optimizing time management. I provided practical tips and tools to help others find greater success in their caregiving roles.
I’m sure your success has not come easily. What challenges have you had to overcome along the way?
Growing up as a dark-skinned daughter of a pastor, I experienced teasing and gossip, leaving me with few genuine friends and a deep mistrust of others. This made it difficult for me to recognize true friendships, causing me to feel like a loner. I even dressed in dark colors to blend in and avoid drawing attention to myself. But despite my efforts to hide, Abba had a plan for my life that couldn’t be stopped by clothing or any other disguise. My lack of confidence and my desire for others’ approval led me to lose sight of my true self, like a chameleon trying to be someone I wasn’t. However, through a powerful spiritual encounter with Abba Father, I discovered my true identity and purpose. He revealed to me that I had a vital role to play on this earth and that my past experiences had uniquely prepared me to make a positive impact on the lives of others. It became clear that my journey had not been random; I was perfectly imperfect for the work I am doing today.
Let’s talk about the work you do. What do you specialize in and why should someone work with you over the competition?
I help caregivers to create practical their personal intentional self care blueprint so they can serve their family, loved one and their community effectively. As I work with the caregiver, I help them get to the root of their frustration or whatever the challenge it is they face and provide them with the tools and resources for them to get the help they need. They should not continue to do life in a bubble but they will allow others to assist them as they create healthy boundaries and put themselves on the to done list. One thing that I deeply understand is that there are particular people who are called to my voice and what I have to offer. It is not a matter of competition. No one can do what I do the way I do it and this holds true for every one who may have a similar assignment. Our DNA is individual and because of that I see no need for competition. I would much rather cooperate and or collaborate with someone who does something similar because it is really about helping the right people the right way.
What’s your best piece of advice for readers who desire to find success?
Discover what it is you are passionate about, hone your skills to excel. Malcolm Gladwell states that it takes 10,000 hours of practice to become an expert at anything. I believe if you are committed to doing that one thing to the best of your ability and it is something you truly get pleasure out of doing it, you will be a success! I believe that what you enjoy doing will bring you the most success.
Speaking of success, what does the word mean to you?
Success means: S – Striving towards your goals, no matter how difficult they may seem. U – Understanding the importance of hard work and dedication. C – Continuously learning and growing to improve your skills and knowledge. C – Cultivating positive relationships with others, and surrounding yourself with supportive people. E – Embracing failures as opportunities to learn and grow, and using them to fuel your determination. S – Staying focused on your vision, and never losing sight of your goals. S – Serving others with your talents and abilities, and contributing to the greater good. Overall, success is not just about achieving your own personal goals, but also about making a positive impact on the world around you. It requires perseverance, dedication, and a commitment to self-improvement, as well as a desire to serve others and give back to the community.
What’s next for you?
From speaking engagements to being the visionary for an upcoming book collaboration for caregivers, working on building a podcast called “Heart Moments”™ which will be full of affirmations, encouragement, resources and up to the minute good news in the world of caregiving, it will be a very productive season in life for me. My company is planning a Rest and Rejuvenate Cruise in November of 2024 to the Caribbean leaving out of Galveston, Texas that I know will be amazing! I am looking forward to that time to pour into those who attend as they get some much needed R & R.
Finally, how can people connect with you if they want to learn more?
Please follow me on Facebook @ https://www.facebook.com/Ladydarlenethorne. You may also follow me on LinkedIn @ https://www.linkedin.com/in/darlene-thorne-m-div/. I am all things Instagram @ https://www.instagram.com/ladydarlenelt3/. If you would like to book a call with me go to my Calendly link https://calendly.com/ladydarlenelt/one-on-one-clarity-call and let’s chat.