Everyday we must slay that ego. Make sure that we are not the center, but our humanity is. Raise humanity- go out there with light and love and balance. Show up in the best parts of your humanity you have that day. There’s unity in our humanity.
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About Charisse
Charisse Fontes is a visionary, founder, author, educator, and speaker that brings the message of high-vibration and humanity to the work she does.
As the Founder of Culture Circle, she empowers healthy and inclusive workplaces through anthropology and humanity.
She also runs a social enterprise called Humanity Power™, which is dedicated to ending the ‘isms. Humanity Power™ was birthed out of a much-needed workshop called 'How To Become A Racist,' Charisse took attendees on a journey from Birth-to-Racism while debunking and solving racism along with other 'isms.
Charisse studies culture, religions, and tribes to enrich humanity-focused work and reach.
When she isn't doing this work, she spends time with her family, hanging out in nature, or serving her community as a birth doula.
Courage Up Moment
Courage of leaving a job with the highest pay, highest title without having something lined up. For Charisse, the courage was not only leaving the job, but knowing she could possibly be homeless again. She went in, resigned and it completely changed her life.
Homeless Life
She was homeless with her 2 boys and pregnant with her 3rd baby. She remembers going to one of the county offices that helps with shelter to help her with the whole process. She knows it starts with motel, hotel then shelter. She remembers getting to the shelter when she was around 4 months pregnant, with a limit of a 3 month stay. She remembers sharing a bathroom with a family of 5.
Day in and day out was finding a job. She would drop her kids off at the onsite daycare, and go to the computer lab to look for a job. Charisse hustled and sent out so many resumes and she was so sure she was doing everything wrong. It was a challenging and scary time.
She got herself out of it because she linked up with a recruiter that had a lead on a really good company with a great culture. She interviewed and got the job and was able to keep it and go on maternity leave. That allowed her to qualify for a transition apartment. She did that for a few months, and she got recommended for another program. She still remembers the flash of emotion knowing her baby was going to have a room. She made it out and she knew she wanted to do something bigger and better and not go back.
Hardest Lesson to Learn
Forgiveness. It’s the hardest lesson because of how she had to learn it. Forgiveness is the factor between how we show up as humans or not show up as humans. Forgiveness is underrated at how we navigate our humanity. The only way to combat bitterness is with forgiveness. For Charisse, she choose forgiveness because she will not succumb to bitterness.
Ego vs. Humanity
Ego is supposed to be an internal thing. The ego is a lot of the causes of what we’re experiencing in this world. Most people don’t realize ego plays a component in our lives. Ego is supposed to be an internal thing. People use their ego for external. The ego does not want to die, it wants to live outside of ourselves. Everyday we must slay that ego. Make sure that we are not the center, but our humanity is. Raise humanity- go out there with light and love and balance. Show up in the best parts of your humanity you have that day. There’s unity in our humanity.
Advice:
“Be Water.” Told her to be her son from Bruce Lee. Water can go anywhere, do anything. If it gets stuck, it can go around things.
Courage Song:
Who You are by Jessie J
Book:
The Motivation Manifesto by Brendon Burchard
Connect With Angela
Instagram: @charissefontes
LinkedIn: Charisse Fontes
Website: Humanity Power
Website: CultureCircle.co
Course: How to Become a Racist
Connect With Ming:
Instagram: @mingshelby
Facebook: Ming Shelby
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