T’aira “Sunny” Wyatt shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Good morning T’aira “Sunny”, we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: When have you felt most loved—and did you believe you deserved it?
I had the privilege and honor to be in a prestigious, high vibrational sister circle that focused on healing that exuded unconditional love unto me like I had never experienced before. It highlighted & reflected the best and worst things about me; while supporting me fiercely to address all the patterns that I allowed to be carried on through me. The divine, feminine women in that space highlighted that I was jealous of my children, my sister, some of the women in the space, as well as how I was failing to protect my children from some of the same things that I wished I would’ve been protected from.
Because of these truths that I had trouble accepting and being accountable for, I was dismissed from the space on a warm July day, days before my birthday. I was devastated for months, as they were the love I had always longed for from my maternal portaler, she simply didn’t have the capacity to give to me. They also were nurturing and kind to me in instances where I was draining the space and when I only knew how to hate myself. I was attention seeking and desperate to be loved while simultaneously not truly believing I deserved to be loved to this capacity. I was addicted to the pain that came to be the life I was choosing as it was all I knew.
After the severance, a few months later a beautiful moment between my oldest daughter and I happened, where she told me in my fit of tears and pity, “You’re our mom. We’ll always love you no matter what you do. Even if you don’t give us candy, even if you whoop us, even if you tell us no. You’re our mom.” I was telling her I didn’t want to be hugged because I was experiencing deep anger and disappointment in myself so I didn’t want to spew my negative energy on her.
She said, “I’m just going to do it anyway because I feel like you need it.” Then she invited her brother and sister to hug me too and I cried so hard as I realized: I hadn’t lost everything. I had so much right there but my pity was pulling me out of all I had to be grateful for. So in that moment I decided, no more pity parties for me. I have to grow in accountability and never take their forgiveness lightly, or the honor it is to be their mother, ever again. I sat down in a bath soon after this and allowed all that the space taught me to come back up to the surface. I have applied everything that I was taught in that incredible space that I miss so much as it was the beginning of my recognizing my own energy and pure heart.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Awakened by the dark, we shine unapologetically & authentically. We craft immersive poetic experiences for souls ready to activate divine purpose at Eye Choose U; Joy with the intent to show those we serve that it is safe to feel. I am the founder of Eye Choose U; Joy LLC, T’aira “Sunny” Wyatt, and our business is unique because our focus isn’t how we can make the most money. It is: how can we help the people in need. In what ways can we be of service with the gifts that God granted us to assist Their children? How can we exude love and joy in ways that are undeniable and contagious?
Impact is the center of what we set out to do rather we are performing musically, poetically, facilitating our BEST Life Experience, sharing a story or inspirational moment on Instagram, creative consulting, keynoting, or attending meet ups like those in The Poetry Business Network; we always do our best to show up in our most joyous, loving frequency as the world is already dark enough. We choose to be radiant, authentic lights that aim to spark others into intentionally watering their God-given seeds/purpose. For The Love of Joy, LEAP, is our brand statement which highlights our pillars of Leadership, Expression, Ascension, & Purpose.
Where you see Sunny pictured in grey highlights the last time she went to the psychiatric hospital; dressed in her Just Don’t Quit shirt purchased from Deric Vaughn Bolden, featured in a previous article, on public transportation here in Toledo. Twas a divine day seeing him lug around his easel and supplies to go downtown to paint near the Walleyes stadium. She knew she needed to speak to him. He invited her and her children down to paint with him and it was a beautiful time. She’s not sure he knows it but that was probably the highlight of their month especially learning on the bus ride home, they share the same birthday. Talk about alignment but this shirt since then, as well as his spontaneous encouragement to keep creating, has been a reminder to not let any past circumstance keep us stuck. As well as that it is okay to need help, so she sought it out.
This is a glimpse into why we wrote our self-published book, “The Habitual Giver” An Ode To All The Women Who Came Before Me, as well as why we advocate heavily for mental health, mothers, women, supportive spaces, and the need for creative expression to be available more. It is our desire to assist as many souls as God will allow but the women are at the heart of our mission because they are influential to the children as well as their men with a natural ability to nurture and empathize. We innerstand that assisting women will cause a ripple of healing as the flow of the earth is around women despite their beautiful, chaotic nature.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
Beautiful Question, as a child I used to believe my curiosity was a problem and that my voice didn’t matter. I genuinely felt annoying for who I am in my soul as I always questioned everything and I wasn’t afraid to ask questions. This was perceived as being defiant but if something didn’t sit right with my soul even at the young age of five, I wasn’t just going along with it no matter what your title was to me. Unfortunately, people took offense to my natural radiance/rebellious spirit and tried to convince me that I was the problem. Fortunately, I have done the work to recognize that they were only projecting their own shortcomings and now affirm that I am Sunny T’aira as I grace stages shining luminously and effulgently.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Indirectly, yes. As mentioned above Sunny’s last time going to the psychiatric hospital she was actually gently removed from the sister circle a previous time because her energy had gotten wild as she learned of some serious treachery that trickled through her bloodline. Child Sexual Abuse between many family members, some who shared parents. So learning of more victims had her spiraling out of control as she had just gotten to a place that she could accept it happened to her. She was furious. She tried using her tools like art to transmute these dense emotions but nothing seemed to be working. She had a conversation with her father explaining that she felt like he shouldn’t be able to get away with this. This is affecting her and so many others mental health to be taken advantage of at such a young age and to now have it really take a toll on their mental health.
There was so much that lingered in the back of many minds that experienced the same traumas; she wanted to take things into her own hands. An added layer was the final straw: speaking with her mother and not being believed at all. Her anger boiled over and the head of the circle directed her to make sure she had to check herself into the psych hospital as she became fixated on taking the one who hurt so many life. She was willing to throw in her life for his because she hated the pain he caused her and so many other innocent people, especially because it felt like he had no remorse. To her this was unacceptable but after having the space to sit down, express herself, rest some, and create she relaxed out of her rage and emerged from the dark slowly but surely.
So we must say thank you so much to God, HP, our sisters (blood & not), and the entire staff at Promedica Flower Hospital. Each and everyone of you showed up for her in her most vulnerable times never invalidating, always holding a gentle loving space for her to fall totally apart. Because of this, she tapped back into her art and her soul which emerged from the darkest of soil. Purpose is urgent; so we flow that way trusting that life is getting great.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
It is a project fueled by a belief: Graduation From Poverty. We have been on government assistance since our children were BORN as the foundation we had, taught us to rely on the system instead of ourselves and what God put inside of us, abundant seeds. We are affirming that there will be no more Medicaid for us, no more food stamps, nor relying on programs to pay our electric bill when we couldn’t. No longer will we have to wait on our income tax return to plot on how to catch up or get ahead. What God placed with great intention inside of us is beyond what the system can provide. We are freeing ourselves from impoverished ways of thinking. We are affirming that we have everything we need to flourish because God says so.
The seeds specifically, Eye Choose U: Joy LLC, planted in us have been pulling us and whispering loudly “Mind Your Business” meaning stop looking at what everybody else has or the perception of it. Look at what God has gifted us and mind or nurture that. As we have begun to really focus in on Eye Choose U; Joy and go where we are guided to and just flow doors and windows are opening as Let Go by DeWayne Woods sings so poetically. The opportunities that have presented to us have been encouraging and divine. We are grateful for all that is coming to us. This commencement ceremony will be first about us and then built out based on the things we have done and the therapy we went through in order to address all that poverty tried to engrain in us to teach to others helping them break free.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What do you understand deeply that most people don’t?
I innerstand that the universe operates in a give and take manner. I innerstand there is a lesson in everything. When I feel like I have lost something, I usually give something away too because I get that the universe SOURCE or God is preparing me for something bigger. I do not resist, I give in to it as it was not always like this. I held tightly to what was mine, or so I thought. Instances like when I was in Georgia with my father and two oldest children in 2021, where the truck he sold me had cut off after getting gas at Shell around the corner from leaving an after church get together. My phone was almost dead so I asked the police officer who just happened to be there (divine) if I could charge my phone in his car so I could call my dad as he is a mechanic. I called him and he sounded annoyed but I was like well I’m stuck with your grandkids, can you come help?
He nonchalantly says, “Yes.” as I was disturbing his Sunday football. He arrived shortly after my call. And then I see a swarm of hundreds of bees maybe 5 feet in front of the truck; I couldn’t believe it so I asked my daughter, “Nyla do you see that?” She said, “Yeah.” I was flabbergasted and amazed. My dad opened my hood without any tools and asked me to start the truck. It started right up! I cried because it was so beautiful as bees always show up for me like Lily in The Secret Life of Bees, one of my favorite movies. I knew I needed to throw something away at that moment, so I stopped on my way home at one of those clothing donation boxes and tossed some boots I had in my truck.
I have taught the same things to my children. My oldest wasn’t too fond of this as she loved her stuff and was very possessive about it. Once I explained it as an exercise of trust that God always wants to give us greater so we have to give something to get something greater. They just received a blissing of toys for Christmas though I don’t celebrate from the YWCA of Toledo on behalf of Queens Village of Toledo’s lead of the organization, Crystal King. Three new toys in, three old toys out easily. I trust with the deepest of faith that God favors me and would never take me to anything that They do not intend to bring me through. Immense gratitude,
Sunny T’aira ☀️
Contact Info:
- Website: https://eyechooseujoy.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/eyechoosujoy
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tairawyatt
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@EyeChooseUJoysSunny
- Other: https://open.substack.com/pub/sunnytaira
https://suno.com/@sunnytaira777
https://www.tiktok.com/@sunnytaira
Image Credits
BrandyUnique – Brandy Reid
