They Saw Me

Sometimes life feels like a race! Especially when you fulfill different roles in this world. My birth name is Sharona, but you know me by a different name. I like to think that everyone I meet gets to see a unique side of me, depending on the reasons the universe attached to our destined meeting. 

😂 I have to admit I do get roasted often for not sharing much of myself. My campaign managers smacked me in the head multiple times for that.😅

My audience might be suprised at my appearance in the Surinamese politics. But back home I grew up in the spotlight. When I dived into the world of blogging, and my work with AI (NDA) I admit I created many alliases. Many ways to diverge the attention from who Sharona was in Suriname. This wasn't something I did on purpose. I just wanted to be able to build something I can share with the world without the glaring eyes of my fellow citizens constantly following me!😂 

With 100 books under my belt, 20 years of experience in youth work and projects, a background in digital project management and so much more, even I get confused when people ask me about myself. 👀😅

Some would say, I like to do things the hard way. But in my mind, I calculated long ago that through challenges and lessons I'd learn and grow. If I had a nickle for each time someone called me humble, I'd have enough money to shelter all the homeless people in Suriname!😁I've been through a long journey and all the steps I've taken which have become pillars for my carreer, were never intended. Sometimes things happen! If there is one intention I do have, which I don't like to admit, it's that I love to help people. To see humanity flourish, just makes my heart flutter with joy. A joy I find in the small moments whenever I reach out a hand to the people around me.😂 Although, sometimes my babies do tire me. How do you think a sister can manage to combine so many things at the same time, if you can't learn to share? 😂 At the end of the day I also know I have another bad habbit. I never stop to celebrate the moment, I live it and move forward. Whenever I'm parading around, in my head I'm just another human being. I like to listen and learn the stories of the souls I notice glowing and fading. 

💓 I was born with a large amount of empathy! 

Servant Leadership, came natural to me, even though I hadn't encountered the concept yet.

Do you see how simple I'm dressed in the picture above this text? 😂 Well society got to see me grow up and move like a simple teenager in front of the cameras. What I couldn't understand or put into words at that time, was that I'll always simply be me! A soul who was born to be free, and who's heart uplifts others on her journey! After constantly being in the media for different things from a young age, I reached a point in my life where I withdrew from the spotlight. Others labeled it as an action motivated by fright! Yet the truth was, life dragged me on adventures where I had to discover the power living inside of me! My political slogan for the last years has been " Power doesn't speak, it acts!".  Etched in my heart, I remain true to this quote. Maybe that's why I find the debates and political "sensational displays" boring! It doesn't fit my personality, when all I want to do is lay bricks which will serve as the foundation for a prosperous future! Being oblivious about how others perceive me, I've often encountered people who'd recognize me. 😂Most of the time I still get shocked when people mention my name. ( I don't count my friends, because I've made a lot of those during my travels through Suriname).  The question I often get asked is where did you go? Why did you dissappear? What are you doing now? I don't see you! That's when I shake my head, as if my work for international youth policy, my lobbying for this country and all the other things I do outside of the public eye simply doesn't excist! All that they compute in their mind is that they don't see me on a screen or newspaper or magazine anymore.

😓 One of the many ways people place me in boxes! You can imagine how frustrating it can get when you go through the same narrative in a million different ways. I don't believe that change and impact needs to be announced with a parade, it needs to be done! Instead of collecting glory for my heroic deeds ( even if I do say so myself😉), I'd let the glory live on in the hearts of those who needed it the most. So the sparks of my kindness can spread in their hearts, minds and souls! Who knows what kind of world those sparks might ignite? I didn't even mention to the people of the political party I belong to what people on the streets were telling me. I am a member of the Nationale Partij Suriname, and became candidate number 42 on their list. I  have to admit, even I think I'm a controversial choice for a candidate since I never shy away from speaking my authenthic thoughts. 😅 I'm pretty sure the chairman of the party has some funny memories of my stubborn and modern yet effective unconvential ways. But what I did notice, is that in the party I became a voice for people. You have no idea how many times I had to pass on nagging messages from citizens and come across like the nagging young girl, when I'm just the people's messenger!😂 Some people were shocked to see me on the list. Others said that a young person like me would stand no chance in the party. But I've been a member for years, and had a role advising and organizing in the background. I've often been presented with the opportunity to stand in the spotlight, but didn't. A part of me didn't feel ready. I trully believed that I could be more effective for and to the people with a role behind the scenes. Away from the debates, and drama. Don't be fooled, I'm higly trained in debating and have proven my diplomacy skills countless times. 😂 I just don't feel like wasting time debating the past which we can't change. I don't feel like showing off my communication skills, to convince someone that I can do! I just want to silently move and do! I'm pretty sure that I'll make mistakes along the way. That's only human, but I'll learn and I'll become better through those experiences.  Now you must be wondering what has changed? I was offered to become a candidate at the last moment and agreed. I accepted it keeping in mind all those people who saw me during my adventures. They'd approach me and share their worries with me. In my mind I'm still that young kid, finding her way! The kid with big dreams and the assertivness to build those dreams. She won't give up, no matter how many times she falls and she stands strong for her people. But when I look into their eyes, I see they hold a different story of and for me. It sparkles with hope. A hope that grew stronger when it was announced I was on the list.  The stories of the people live on in my heart. Although I might not go into details during this episode, I captured the emotions and experience in this song called " They Saw Me".  Thanks for reading guys and wish me luck on my journey.💚