Expelled: Insights from A Decade of Reflection

The Summer of 2005 is quite frankly one of those times I think I have blocked from my memory. However, as I recall all that took place, along with my journal writing and other notes, it comes alive more real than I remember.

EXPELLED. Not suspended or suggested a break. Kicked out. I sat before the Board of Deans having not completely recovered from a long hospital stay. Even in my haze, I stuck to my guns of not using my health issues as an excuse. With the 4 consecutive Final Exams I actively failed during the span of one week, I think I would have investigated more, but in retrospect of the circumstances surrounding my expulsion from Medical School, I now believe that it was one of those "All things work together for my good"-type of situations. And because I serve a Sovereign, Almighty and Faithful GOD, I can look back 10 years later and say

"It's GOOD!"

So I would like to share some insight into what I have learned during this past decade, hoping to encourage some one out there:

#1: None of THIS would have happened!:

Right before Finals that year, while serving for a week in Haiti on a Medical Missions endeavor, I was once again frustrated about "The Wait". Single as always, and highly distracted at the time, I threw up my hands and told God that I would take over, and I made an ultimatum that I would forsake marriage and family and travel the world as a Maternal & Child Health-focused Doc and save all of humanity!!!

I don't think GOD appreciated my orders because this is where my life began to crumble. So,

I don't know how:
I don't know why:
I don't even know what GOD sees in me for HIM to entrust me with so much,
But today I am a wife and I am a mother
The most unlikely candidate--
And MY OWN HOME is the neediest Mission Ground there ever could be!!!!

#2: None of THIS would have happened either!:

Now if you want to think outside of the box, you call DrAjao! First of all, this man would have never even married another doctor and he was not keen about any other medical profession either. Truth is, I thought I was marrying the Doctor that I never could be: but that has warped into something crazy! 

DrAjao spoke Lyrics by tia to life, and a woman who couldn't care less about image and had an 'ugly complex', into a "Master Poser" & a Certified Makeup Artist!!! To me it was a chance to encourage others and support his business, but then it became so much more. All of a sudden a merger of minds began:

Certified Pro Photographer + Certified Makeup Artist
Medical Doctor & Medical Mission Servant + MPH, Maternal and Child Public Health Servant
MS, Producing for Film & Video + Writer, Poet, Spoken Word Artist
Social Media Guru & Network Builder + Inspirer. Doer. Be-er

= Together Inspiration Acts, INC

Concept Development & Design by DrAjao.com

"All of us" became all we needed to make an IMPACT together and with others:

A Collaboration of Makeup Artists after Serving Women at
The House of Ruth
Photo Credit: DrAjao.com!

#3: And THIS was the Ultimate Impossi-CAN'T!

Though EXPELLED from the Medical part of the MD/MPH I was pursuing, I had to muster up what little courage I had to complete my MPH. But even with a Masters, I could not obtain my dream job. So after nearly losing my Mom, and finally understanding all she had been advising about a clinical career, I got sick and tired enough of my situation to go back to school: Nursing School.

Flash backs of Medical School haunted me with every examination. But this time I FOUGHT for it! I stayed in the Dean's Office-- I had her on speed-dial! I fought even when they wanted me to "take a leave" But by this time, GIVING UP was the Impossi-CAN'T! 

So for every reason I went to Medical School

For every opportunity I could never obtain

For every door closed to me 

And the lack & loss we've endured,

GOD Cared: HE Knew and HE Intervened!!

Thank YOU JESUS because YOU knew better than I!

SO I dedicate this Insight to 3 Women in my life:

First, my Dr. Mom who has quietly led by example every moment of my life

From carrying my twin and I during her final year of MD Residency 

To skipping Maternity Leave in order to obtain her prize as an American Pediatrician,

And working tirelessly without one complaint 

From hospital, to hospital, then clinic, to clinic, to HER OWN Business!

She celebrates another year of dedicated practice with every New Year of our birth!

As she serves the most underserved of Baltimore City. 

MOMMY, I SALUTE YOU!

Second is an amazing young lady, that through the odds, claims
Sweet Victory in the realization of her dreams this week!!!!
Watching her has encouraged me so much,
and I am honored to know her as a colleague and friend!

Thirdly is an amazing woman of God who's story reminds me of my own. 

She's an Action-lady, you know, that "Practice-Based Evidence"

Leading her own group of women into GOD's Presence 

And into the company of others who need to be edified!!!

Sis, walk in your Victories with your lovely family by your side!

I know that GOD will take you so much further than you could ever dream or imagine!!!!

Open the Pages of a NEW Chapter.

By HIS Grace we will testify 

Other Decades more.....

Truly,
-tia