M&J LITERARY WORKS INC.

Fox 40

COMMUNITY

NEWS

Maya And Jello Author/Poet Shares her Personal Journey 

How to get to your Happy Place

Thursday, January 28th 2021, 8:48 PM EST

Sponsored: Advertising Content

Today we’d like to introduce you to Maya And Jello.

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?

Well if you must know I come from very humble beginnings. I was born on the beautiful island of Trinidad the sister island of Tobago in the West Indies. I am number 10 of 11 children born to my Mom and Dad. My parents got divorced when I was just about 3 years old and so for the most part I was raised by my Mom who found herself being a single parent of 11 children. After graduating high school I migrated to these United States in search of a better life. In search of something more. In search my destiny. I remember arriving to New York in the dead of winter dressed in a fake fur coat with twenty US dollars to my name. This search was my desire to acquire not for myself but to ultimately be a blessing to the people around me. That passion led me to pursue a doctorate in medicine. A journey of course which brought its own challenges. But I found an outlet in writing. And so I wrote a segment in the College newspaper during my time in Medical school. Writing has always been an outlet for me as far back as I can remember. I started writing poetry when I was just a kid. I remember reading some of my earliest works to my friends in High School. They were so impressed they nicknamed me ‘Daughter of Shakespeare’. And so it began.

I’m sure your success has not come easily. What challenges have you had to overcome along the way?

I came to this country from a land of sunshine and beaches in the dead of what we used to know as winter. Dressed in a fake fur coat that was fashioned from some sort of shaggy material and stitched together by my eldest sister. All I had was the prayers of my Mother and 20 US dollars in my pocket. A Bon Voyage gift, a blessing from my Mom. A treasure she had stashed away for maybe such a time as that. I remember looking out on the vast blanket of ice around me with gushing bone-chilling winds against my face, asking myself what am I doing here? And at the same time thinking that I better make something of myself because leaving my Mom was the hardest thing that I ever had to do in my life. So whatever I do I better make it better not only for myself but for her. In retrospect, I think if anyone at that time had told me of the obstacles I would face. That the acceptance of the very hue in my skin which I so proudly wore, would become the greatest retardation to success on this journey I was about to embark on. I think I would have made a U-turn and taken the next flight back. But God did not allow it because his plans were way greater than I could have ever imagined.

Let’s talk about the work you do. What do you specialize in and why should someone work with you over the competition?

I’m a Doctor by day and Author/ Poet by night or maybe it’s the other way around sometimes. But regardless of which hat I’m wearing my objective is to bring healing. I’ve been writing ever since I have known myself. As a child, I observed life around me. And as I grew older and had my own experiences I wrote about those. But at the core of all my writings of pain and suffering, of painful experiences, of going through trying times, is the message that God’s love transcends any degree of suffering that we may experience in this life. And if we would only allow it in, it’s power would supersede our pain and bring about healing. These days we are living in unprecedented times. We are sailing through uncharted waters. I have been told by many that reading my poetry brings about healing in their lives. And so, if that be the case. Then mission accomplished! That’s how God’s love works.

What’s your best piece of advice for readers who desire to find success in their life?

The key to success is to align yourself with your giftings. Find your God given talents. And then determine to use it to bless others. That way even if you don’t make a lot of money. You show up with a smile on your face and peace in your heart. Knowing that you are leaving your footprint on the rest of the world. The more you step out of yourself to bless others the happier you’ll be. The more fulfilled you’ll feel. The more successful you’ll be.

Speaking of success, what does the word mean to you?

I used to think of success as having a lot of money. Then I started thinking of it as having the resources to do what you want when you want to do it. But as I grew wiser, not older, wiser. I realized that true success lies in legacy. So I ask myself daily. What are you doing for the betterment of humanity? What footprint are you leaving in the sands of time? By the way that happens to be the title of one of my poems, ‘Sands of Time’.

What’s next for you?

What’s next? What’s next? Really God alone knows. But He’s hinted to me that it’s big and it’s beautiful. So I will keep on writing in the hopes that I can bless as many people as would read my books. As many hearts as would allow my gifting into their lives

Finally, how can people connect with you if they want to learn more?

Well I’ve got the whole Social media thing going.

My IG page is @maya_and_jello0519 .

Facebook is MayaJello.

My website is www.mayaandjello.com

My Blog is www.mayaandjello.wordpress.com.