Tag: Chiara Life

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Gratitude and Financial Responsibility for Women

Daily writing prompt
What positive events have taken place in your life over the past year?
View all responses

“She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.” – Proverbs 31:25

One of the biggest shifts in my life has been steadily stepping into entrepreneurship and embracing fiscal responsibility. Every day, I learn something new about money—and here’s the truth: money is not a bad word. It’s actually a powerful tool and far more than just a way to pay bills. It can fund dreams, create security, and open doors to freedom.

There’s an old saying: “People perish for lack of knowledge and vision.” That resonates deeply with me. Many of us, if we’re honest, approach money in a hand-to-mouth way because we lack a clear vision for what to do with it. Years ago, I took time to pray and reflect on the vision for my life—not as a wife or mom, but as a woman.

That moment set a series of changes in motion. I realized I didn’t want another purse or more ill-fitting clothes. I wanted purpose, impact, and abundance—but without vision, those things felt out of reach. I don’t feel that so much now. I am in a space of looking around and seeing what life has to offer and being grateful for what is there. There is alot and I will be sharing lots of resources and initiatives from my home state.

The Reality for Women and Money

Here’s why this conversation matters:

  • After divorce, women’s household income drops by an average of 41%, compared to 23% for men.
  • Nearly 56% of women defer financial decisions to their spouse, leaving them vulnerable when life changes.
  • Financial literacy among women lags behind men—only 52% of women demonstrate strong financial knowledge compared to 62% of men.

These numbers are sobering, especially when you consider that many women have never opened a bill or managed household finances until a major life event forces them to. But here’s the good news: awareness is the first step toward empowerment.

Gratitude and Growth

My biggest attitude is gratitude. Life will hand you lemons—but you can keep squeezing out lemonade. These are the years to change it all. Whether you’re starting a business, learning to invest, or simply creating a budget, every step you take toward financial literacy is a step toward freedom.

Your Call to Action

Don’t wait for life to force you into financial independence—start today. Create a vision for your money. Learn, plan, and grow. Because when women have knowledge and vision, we don’t just survive—we thrive.

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Turning Roadblocks Into Hope: A Message for Single Moms

Today I turned on the news and saw something that gave me hope. It was definitely a “Your Cross Is Your Crown” moment. Lately, I have been feeling like I can do hard things. Especially in areas where I may have allowed my skills to um, lapse–i.e. the financial literacy department.

As you know, life can throw curveballs and there are unexpected challenges that change everything. For some, those twists lead to single motherhood. For others, it’s been the reality from day one. Either way, the journey can feel overwhelming. You work hard, sometimes juggling multiple jobs, not just for survival but because deep down, you want more time with your kids. Ironically, the biggest struggle for single parents isn’t just money—it’s time. Time to guide, nurture, and be present.

I grew up with both parents, but they worked tirelessly to give us a good life. I often wondered if they missed moments with me and my brother while chasing financial security. That thought stays with me as a mom—because whether you’re single or partnered, the desire is the same: to give your children the best future possible.

Here’s the truth: being a single parent is not a life sentence. Kids grow up. One day, you’ll step into a new chapter—stronger, wiser, and ready to build something even better. But right now, your focus is on their future. And today, I found something that gave me hope: Trump Accounts. This is an amazing philanthropic gift from the Dell Family. I am here for anyone who puts tangible action into play, especially for our nation’s youth. This is huge. I plan to post more on the steps to engaging this opportunity in future posts but this is a genuine solution for children under 18 and their families. Read on for how it works.

Why This Matters

If you’re a single mom or part of a working family, you know the daily balancing act—stretching every dollar while dreaming of college, a first home, or a debt-free start for your child. Saving feels impossible when bills demand your attention. That’s why Trump Accounts are such a breakthrough.

What Are Trump Accounts?

  • $1,000 Government Seed: Every eligible child gets a head start.
  • Up to $5,000/year Family Contributions: Build steadily over time.
  • Employer Contributions: Up to $2,500 annually, tax-free.
  • Dell Family Bonus: $250 for millions of children in qualifying communities.

Funds grow through investments in U.S. stock index funds. If fully funded, a child born in 2026 could have:

  • $303,800 by age 18
  • $1,091,900 by age 28
    (Projections, not guarantees—but powerful nonetheless.)

Why It’s a Game-Changer for Single Moms

This isn’t just about money—it’s about opportunity. It’s about breaking cycles, leveling the playing field, and giving your child a foundation for education, entrepreneurship, and independence. For single moms, Trump Accounts offer something rare: a chance to turn small steps today into life-changing outcomes tomorrow.

Final Thoughts

You already give your child love, resilience, and guidance. Now, you can give them something even more powerful—a financial head start. This is more than a savings account; it’s a promise of possibility.

Call-to-Action:
What do you think about this initiative? Could it help your family? Share your thoughts below and subscribe for more resources on building a brighter future for your kids. Also, please like share and subscribe. Thanks for reading.

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Kambili: Let Me Live

When I first started my writing collective a few years back, I chose the name Kambili. It means “let me live.” I felt it was perfect. I was living in a world where I was being focused on at a granular level and that’s alot. Yet, I have lived enough life to know that there are people who feel an innate need to tell others how to live despite being reproached.

For me harmony is achieved when everyone is respectfully giving their opinion and sharing feelings and ultimately minding their business and letting other people live. In 2019, I gave up gossiping. Right after that I did my best to remove the things that were erected as idols in my life. Those two actions cleared out pretty much everyone in my life. That’s sad and scary when you think about it.

To be clear, I really only had one gossip partner, but she was, and is, the queen bee of it. We all have these people in our lives. For the most part it’s innocent, but I had to permanently let it go. Gossip puts in motion unforeseen tragedies that often boomerang back in the form of karma. Most people don’t know that’s what’s happening though. When I did that, it created a peace within me that has been unwavering. I largely focus on the tasks at hand and the joy in my circle. Harmony is best when you do you and I do me, and when it feels right, we can do us. I am ok to lose out in some situations and win in others. But all people need the space to express themselves and to simply be. We are here to love and to express ourselves in the unique way that God intended and will often upset the apple cart if those ideations are obstructed. Remember, one person’s harmony is another person’s overbearing—therefore walking away or taking turns being quiet is best.

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The People Who Have Impacted Me Positively

The number of people that have shaped me into who I am today is becoming almost too numerous to name.

At this point, I even see people who were intended to be a menace as good for me.

Sometimes it’s the stress of life, or birthing new ideas, that can alter your mood or perspective. But, when you get over the hump, it’s like breathing new air.

If I have to go through the fire in order to get to the beauty of the other side, I’d do it a thousand times.

If this is you, share with me. I’d love to hear how you are getting over the hump and staying in gratitude.

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Tell Good Stories

Tell good stories.

That’s the goal. That’s the mission.

Whether it’s retelling the greatest story ever told, exploring forgotten folklore, putting forth sacred art, or inspiring visual culture, we know that stories shape our vision.

Stories are all around us. We are a living example of the proclamation of ideas called “words made flesh.”  Ultimately, as storytellers, we have the ability to tell good stories.  Or we can  create  full-bodied, dynamic, thoughtfully crafted and historically balanced, shared narratives that  reinforce our place in the world and in our community. We have the power as universal storytellers and citizen authors to see what we want to. It’s a lot of responsibility. The truth is a lot of responsibility, but that’s what makes it compelling.

Stories are not limited to movies, magazines, and large media. I tell my daughter a bedtime in the oral tradition every night. I make her the center of the story, and it’s fun. Maybe she will carry on the tradition.

So, what will you create? What stories will you tell that haven’t been told? And if it’s a bedtime story, it’s OK to be the hero.

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If It’s Safe And Interesting, I’m There

What place in the world do you never want to visit? Why?

One of the greatest gifts my mom gave me was a desire for adventure. Even though she grew up in the 50s and 60s, she always operated like an anomaly. She wanted to see the world and so joined the military and made sure to tour overseas. These moments truly shaped who I am.

I’m similar in that way, but even more adventurous. Plus, all the incessant moving around I did in my early years helps me make friends relatively easily. I think I prefer new environments, especially to visit.

However, I prefer not to be too cold. I don’t want to visit a place where I could lose my life just from going outside. I also don’t want to be in a place that’s  too violent. I don’t want to be harmed while working or helping. So, putting me in the middle of a war zone  may not be a good idea.

Other than that, I like adventure. I am open to seeing what the world has to offer. As long as I can make it back it one piece.

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Don’t Forget To Smile

Describe something you learned in high school.

I  went to four different high schools in four years. That’s a lot of moving around.

What I learned is that I needed to observe the culture of the school quickly and adapt if I wanted to make friends. I moved around alot as a child, and I often tarted in the middle of the year. Being the new student, mid year, is never fun because most relationships are formed at the beginning of the school year. 

Making new friends can be a challenge. However, I did notice that there was always a quiet girl somewhere in the class that seemed nice and I could make friends with. So I was never really alone because someone always took me under their wing.

But in high school, I wanted to be popular. I didn’t just want to be the quiet, sweet girl, I wanted to stand out. I wanted to be popular. I learned that in order to be popular, you had to smile a lot and say hi to everyone. I learned this by watching a popular girl in my class politic her way to class president. She always kept a nice smile and waved to everyone in the halls. It was in the moment I knew I needed to destiny swap. It actually worked. Just that small tweak in my personality landed me on the homecoming court, winning senior class treasurer, co-captain of the cheerleading, participating in pageants, and so much more. Don’t worry about that destiny swap. Ms. popularity 2.0 tried to do the same to me by following me to college a d swapping there. It didn’t work, but I always admired her, and we became friends. She is successful and sweet even to this day.

Moral of the story: Saying hello goes a long way. If you can do this even when you don’t feel like it, you will have a mastered a very important skill set. And remember, don’t forget to smile.

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Interview With Mom Film Fest and Director Alicia Cunningham: Balancing Motherhood, Writing, & Life (Replay)

By: Chiara La Luz Atoyebi

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#TBT Navigating Loss: Lessons from Grief and Art Therapy

Original Artwork by Chiara Luz circa 2018

Look closely at the image what do you see? This was one of my first collages in 2018 from an art therapy class when words had failed me after dealing with my daughter’s cancer and ultimately death. When I look back this small innocent collage said so much. This is the power of art as therapy.  What you can’t see are the words from the cartoon of the family at the dinner table where the mom says,” I think I am going to get an apartment,” and the husband has kind of a non-response. 

Thoughts: 

Sometimes you crave a fresh start but feel tethered by those you love. It’s not easy. Life strips away illusions, yet gratitude can reignite hope. My strongest bonds were forged through struggle and loss. Grief felt like coming back from a war.

During my daughter’s cancer, I faced countless challenges that prepared me for her passing. Looking back through my journals, I saw that surrender was essential—not giving up on her but accepting what I couldn’t control. Releasing the need to save her let me truly support her and witness her light. During this time my writing reflected more of my inner battles than her treatments.

I thought keeping peace at home might keep her here, and blamed myself when she worsened, but her life had its own path. Cancer made us practical: I focused on creating normalcy, my then-husband on financial stability. Neither role was glamorous, both exhausting. At the time, I felt we should “uplift” each other more. Today I understand that it was the fight that drained us.  It’s devasting to lose someone you love.

It is the fight that signifies the love and also a struggle I wouldn’t wish on anyone. Later I learned that it was love, not duty, that sustained us. Love shows up when quitting feels easier and  it’s often found in simply being present. I quit drinking long before her death, knowing alcohol wouldn’t help. Faith and meditation gave me strength I never imagined. I told myself over and over: I will not die. I am loved.

Through loss, I learned love’s freedom. In her final year, my mission was clear: show up and love her. Love demands sacrifice—a truth we often avoid. Ask yourself: Who shows up for you? Time brings clarity. While making a small art piece, I saw life’s cycle and remembered to keep believing. Love endures, hopes, and acts boldly in uncertainty. Who do you love?

However, on the flip side of this knowing I could never fully love someone who loved the world more than their soul. I explored this concept in my story “A Time of War: Two Nations One Heart.” I guess I am just a person that looks to God for my validation and less from the people and things outside of me to tell me that I belong. So, when random people from state to state would ask me Chiara Luz, “Quienes tu familia?” now I know. I now know that all of my lack, my pain, my loss were ultimately things that I would survive whether I wanted to or not. Because I have done so and remain smiling, hopeful, and with my integrity intact I know what true love is. “Dios es Amor.”

Note: Make a collage. Write what matters. Stay open. Don’t judge yourself. See what emerges. Revisit it often.