Daily Inspiration: Meet Djuana Ross

Today we’d like to introduce you to Djuana Ross

Hi Djuana, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Well, my name is Djuana Monique Ross. I am the only daughter and eldest child of both of my parents. I come from humble beginnings where the odds were definitely stacked against me for various reasons. My childhood was one for the books, so I wrote one or two. In spite of my start in life and the obstacles that came my way, I have learned that I choose to excel through most things because I tend to push through life with blinders on. This practice has benefited me very well over the course of my 40 years of life, but it has had its significant drawbacks, as well.

Not too long ago, a fellow student in my make-up adult swim class commented that I had grown a lot since he had last seen me about 6 weeks prior. My immediate reply to him was that I was determined to learn. As I got out of the swimming pool, that thing resonated deep within my spirit. When it comes to my story, I am where I am today because I AM DETERMINED. I decided to learn how to swim because I was tired of being afraid. A childhood trauma had rocked me tough, and I just never learned how to swim. I did not know why he was there for class, but I knew why I was there. I didn’t want to be afraid anymore. I didn’t want to miss out on what it seems like I was made to do. Growth is non-negotiable for me. I want to win in and at life! I always have and always will.

One of my most keen survival skills for life is self-reflection and awareness. I mention this because my story is full of it. I have been determined to learn from the examples around me – both what to do and what not to do. When there have been no examples readily available, I have learned to seek, study, discover and explore until I find a suitable answer.

Upon this reflection, I will say that I started feeling inadequate about myself in almost every way growing up. I suffered from fear of abandonment and from emotional neglect. These root issues caused me to have a skewed view of my identity which inadvertently caused me to be codependent, seeking love and approval in all the wrong places, and suffering silently with thoughts of not wanting to have been born. Like many people, I was a mess.

It was at the age of twelve, that my seeking for “more in life” led me right to God’s house. Initially, I only went for the free food and Sunday School where my sweet teacher gave me a dollar every week for actively participating. After about a year of attending church, I noticed that I was learning about God and seeing Him work in the lives of all different types of people in ways that I’d never seen before. I became curious and sought out God for myself. It was at the right time, too. Like many 13-year-olds, I was crazy and was trying to figure out who I was. It was during this pivotal time that I accepted Jesus Christ as Lord of my life. AFTER THAT, I was never the same!

The more I got to know God, the better my life felt. The more clarity I had. I finally had purpose despite my challenges and issues. From eighth grade on, I have committed to pursuing a life that I hope will one day garner me the ultimate approval which is to hear “Well done, My good and faithful servant.” from The Most High God. With my blinders now focused on this eternal goal, my life continuously takes shape in ways that I have never imagined.

I mentioned earlier that I am 40 years old. Truthfully, this is a miracle to me. I never thought I would live to see 30 years old let alone ten years passed that! Just last year, my life was slipping away from me, and I didn’t even know it. For a number of years, blood had been leaving my body in large amounts during my menstrual cycle and it literally drained life out of me. Thinking that I was simply dehydrated and fatigued, I was rushed to the hospital with a NUMBER of issues ranging from severe anemia, uterine fibroids, pulmonary embolism, blood clots in my right leg, dyspnea, etc… the hospital notes say that I was critically ill with a hemoglobin level of 3.1 (it is supposed to be around 12). I don’t believe in luck, so I say that it was the miracle of God that I am even alive now. Even through the 13-day hospital visit, blood transfusions, two surgeries, a painful recovery (and still recovering), and the more, I had blinders on. I never thought death was near even though the medical professionals were concerned. It never crossed my mind. As my husband says, “you were broken so you had to go get fixed”. I am reminded every day that I can walk more than two steps without gasping for breath or getting tired, that I am a literal walking miracle!

Life has been full of ups and downs, but I hold on and keep focused so that I can fulfill all that I have been purposed to do. My life scripture is Romans 8:28 which says, “We know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose”. Today, I am a married, college-educated woman who gives big, loves freely, speaks boldly, creates without conformity, and lives unapologetically.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Initially, I laughed out loud when I first read this question. After pondering it and figuring out my answer to it, tears welled up in my eyes. It has not been smooth at all. It has been full of winding, rocky roads where most of the time I have no idea where I am going, nor can I see what’s ahead. I have learned that I am only able to navigate life and success with the guidance of the Holy Spirit and using His written Word as a light to my path. Most of the time, the struggles I have had were rooted in uncertainty.

I feel as though I am traversing through unchartered territory most of the time and there aren’t many people within my personal sphere that can help me effectively. Not knowing what to do, what is supposed to happen, what I need to take, how long it takes, or who to trust have been the primary obstacles. I typically find that I always have to start from scratch. I have to explore, discover, and fight my way through a lot of times.

As exciting as it can be to be first and a trailblazer, it is a lonely road! I haven’t had nor do I have many cheerleaders because those around me hardly even understand my journey. (Truth be told, I don’t either sometimes.) This is a constant struggle for me due to a lifelong battle of self-worth. The road feels quite bumpy when negative thoughts intrude as they attempt to impede internally from continuing the journey. Only I can fight this battle. No one can do it for me. That emotional baggage can get quite heavy from time to time.

The journey is also long and when dealing with uncertainty you want reassurance that you are on the right track. I imagine that one of the reasons I rely so much on my faith in God is because He has never failed me. He is my literal Shepherd and leads me through the shadows of death and everything in between! Because it is in His plan that I will have what is outlined in Psalm 23 that I am determined to blaze through these uncertain trails (and trials) because I know that goodness and mercy will follow me as long as I follow Him.

One of my favorite music anthems for my life is a song called, “I Want My Destiny” by Fred Hammond & Radical for Christ. There is a part of the song that addresses this perfectly. The lyrics say,

“Hold on. Don’t let go.
To give up now would be jacked up for sho.
The journey is long and hard is the fight
But we trust in the Lord in the power of His might.
There is power in His Word and it’s gonna see us through.
So, keeping the faith is what we’ve gotta do
To believe our God is more than able.
Fight the good fight as we press towards the mark we push in
And we obtain His favor.
So, we will know and have true confidence that the prize of His call is much greater.”

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I operate Tru Talent Productions. It is an umbrella company that I started in 2006 that houses all of the varied services that I offer at any given time. Currently, I am building my life and character education program where the mission is to produce individuals that will foster excellence in their personal lives using solid basic principles and tools that will aid in the development of a generation of purposeful doers walking in their true identities effectively. Yes, that is the mission statement.

Simply, I work to create content, educational materials, events and programs that promote a high quality of life that encourages all to operate in their true identity to fulfill their God-given purpose. I serve as a speaker, author, life coach and instructor in many capacities. I am still writing the curriculum for some of the upcoming courses for the life education program. I have taught as a music educator, mentor, and program coordinator for many programs in Ohio and North Carolina over the years. My experience has made me very proficient in the areas of teaching, training, and coaching.

I am most proud of the work I have done in mentoring the youth, events for my Tru Ladies of Choice community, and in my published works. In addition, I have given a commencement address annually for Identity Awareness Month every October since 2018. For 2024, I am passing the baton to a prominent speaker for this year’s Identity Awareness Month and I am excited for the new development! My publications include my testimony (Miss BJB: Overcoming Mistaken Identity), my poetic works (Invisible Scars: The Poetic Journey of Miss BJB), a devotional (On A Journey To HealThySelf), a children’s book (I AM Called), and a prayer journal.

What sets me apart from others is my resourcefulness, work ethic, creativity, and drive to be excellent in everything that I do. I aim to give God glory even in my work. It is all about producing excellence in the name of Jesus when I work for myself and when I am working for others. Also, I have worked as a private piano instructor for a small business in my area for the past three years.

What does success mean to you?
My definition of success is to maintain the mindset of a champion and to act as such in every situation. The focus is more on how the journey is traveled rather than simply arriving at the finish line or destination. Success is the act of continually winning!

Plans and goals can change, but how you move when hit with a monkey wrench is success. I learned not to beat myself up for not accomplishing a task if it needs to pivot and change for a better outcome. No matter what, a champion doesn’t stop until they win.

While there is breath in your body, I encourage you to succeed at anything and everything today. Again, the definition of success is the act of continually winning because that is what champions do. My name is Djuana Monique Ross and I am a champion unapologetically!

Pricing:

• $20 – The Prayer Priorities Program ​PRAYER JOURNAL
• $17.95 – I AM Called (children’s book)
• $25 – Invisible Scars: The Poetic Journey of Miss BJB
• $12.99 – Miss BJB: Overcoming Mistaken Identity
• $5 – On A Journey To HealThySelf (eBook)

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.TruTalentProductions.com
• Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/@MoZart1920
• Other: https://www.MissBJB.com