Growth Spotlight: Meet Melonie

GROWTH SPOTLIGHT:

Meet Melonie

Hi Melonie! Tell us about yourself. What do you do? What is your mission or goal?

I'm a big nerd, a mom, and a lifetime bookworm. I host a Book Club online. My goal was to create a community where readers can connect and meet new friends while encouraging reading. I’ve always been protective of my introverted friends and wanted to create a safe place where they can feel comfortable expressing themselves. And naturally, a group of 20+ readers with different personalities but a love for reading came together and has become a family.

What sparked your love for reading?

My mom! My mom is my everything and she shared her love for reading with me. It was fully immersing myself into a story, creating pictures in my head that just hooked me.

Knowing what you know now, are there any books that you recommend for growth?

How much time do we have? Lol

To list some:

The Alchemist by Paolo Coehlo
Be water, My Friend by Bruce Lee
In the meantime by Iyanla Vanzant
Be Our Guest by Disney Institute
Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill

What do you do daily to grow?

I listen, I ask questions. I journal and work on processing past traumas. I try to learn something new every day with my daughter. I allow myself to forget, or mess up, I allow myself space to feel. Meditating has helped me grow in centering myself and staying present. And I create, I think it’s good to do something creative daily, you express yourself you learn about yourself, it’s empowering.

How do you define success?

Success to me is when you are genuinely yourself and present in your everyday life. Success is experiencing unconditional love both giving and receiving. No title, amount of money, or material thing can top having a true tribe that loves you unconditionally or when you find peace within yourself. It’s unmatched.

What are some of your accomplishments?

I want to accomplish something every day and learn each day to the fullest. If I learn something every day I’ve accomplished something positive. My daughter is my biggest accomplishment, loving her and letting her grow into who she is without judgment or control has been most rewarding. Creating my book club! It’s so special watching people grow within a group, seeing them let go and step more into their light literally is the best.