Welcome to the inaugural Love and Light Warrior Spotlight! Take a break, grab your favorite pet (just don’t let the others know!), and meet fellow warriors committed to spreading joy, self-awareness, and acceptance in our world. For more info, go to the official page here!
Well, when Melissa was a kid, she’d be enjoying the world in her Champaign backyard. No matter the time. No matter the day. Maybe with every kid in the neighborhood, maybe one of her three younger siblings, maybe by herself. Shark, War, and kick-soccer were a few favorites.
Kinda makes me want to kick my teens out of the house to find a cardboard box. Or maybe just shut off the Wi-Fi to see what (if?) they could create. AMIRIGHT?
As a kid, Melissa dreamed of creating a life as an independent career woman who could take care of herself and her family. Now, she
- Oversees 7 branch offices in Central Illinois which are
- Focused on transforming lives to
- Help people find sustainable employment and
- Finding workers for local businesses.
WOW. WHEW.
And she fits in managing the marketing efforts. DOUBLE BOOM. Her job is kinda like a big scavenger hunt, but much more helpful than a chewed piece of gum.
How I’ve Known Melissa
I met Melissa at a yoga retreat. Her light was bright and soft. She was seated in the back row, which meant she is introverted, arrived early, or worried about a front-row yoga-pose inspection.
From meeting her, I could tell she was loyal, kind, and searching. Then she read a poem. Aha! A fellow truth seeker. From her:
POEM: I long for you
When the moon show silver And the stars watch closely A neighbor is sleepless And a friend is wild with angst I long for you When the market spirals downward And good jobs are on hold A knightly newsman tooth sparkles And a home is vacant I long for you When my tank echos And change isn't loose A dream wears a smirk skipping ahead And crime threatens a stroll. I long for you When chasing the hours And night turns to night A coward blames the world for it all And wine is better than water I long for you
At a later breakfast date, she told me of her life. Her husband, the love of her life, passed unexpectedly over a decade ago. And she told me of her hope: her two sons. And a possible new love. Brightness and sadness, intertwined in a poetic-for-good soul.
And then she shared about Beauty for Ashes. A Facebook group page she started to counterbalance social media negativity. A place for women to connect and share their inspiration, faith, laughter, life’s lemons, and prayers. Did you know beauty for ashes is a Bible verse? I didn’t.
The main point: Finding light in the dark.
I asked Melissa about what she has learned through her journey in darkness and light. Here it is:
- Not take things so seriously
- Let go
- Embrace the imperfections everywhere
- Forgive Easily
- Never Give Up
Nowadays, Melissa’s soul cannot wait to work from and live outside of her house (and backyard) post-pandemic. And, even if she had a million dollars, she’d still be here, in a simple home on the outskirts of our little town.
And, you’ll actually never believe this: she did have that million-dollar chance, but didn’t take it. Why? Because: Integrity.
Her future dream now is to travel and do good in the world wherever possible, as discreetly as possible. On her own terms. I am certain Melissa Wilhelm’s light and resilience will get her there.
The SoulJourner QUESTion
So, how about joining Beauty for Ashes? Or just take it for a test drive? Oh, and if you want to reach out personally to this humble and generous Love and Light Warrior, she’s on Facebook, always welcoming new friends.
Fun Prompt: Review Melissa’s life lessons. Do any of them resonate with you? If so, which one(s)? And do you have a story to share about it? Lemme know!
