Linda Freeman is all too familiar with juggling life’s struggles and victories. The engineer, mother, wife, ordained minister, mentor, community organizer, and program developer, knows first hand what it is like to go through times of test and trial while trying to develop her inner self.
Taking from her experience, Freeman wrote “THRIVE!” an interactive journal that takes participants on a 40 day journey, giving them time to clarify who they are, what is important to them, and where they want to focus their energy.
“I titled the journal “THRIVE” because it invokes a spirit of motivation, inspiration, growth and excitement. I want to help others move forward, learn not only how to survive, but to thrive,” says Freeman.
A perfect fit for inspiring at-rise youth, the journal is being used as curriculum in South Florida’s new Children of Inmates, Inc. (COI) Teen Leadership Program this summer. More than 15,000 children in Miami-Dade County Florida have a parent in a state or federal prison. COI has served more than 2,500 of those children with an incarcerated parent since its inception just 6 years ago.
The program is incorporating morning motivational messages from “THRIVE” for participates to reflect on and write about in their journals.
“Our kids live in families that are often chaotic. It’s hard for them to find a moment of peace. They desperately need to learn how to think positive. These daily motivational thoughts from THRIVE! help them develop a habit of positive thinking,” says Shellie Solomon, President, Children of Inmates, Inc.
Area teens graduated from Phase 1 of the teen leadership program, taking the lessons with them. Freeman says the program plans to continue to use “THRIVE” as part of its curriculum in Phase 2, slated to begin mid- September 2013. Additionally, the practical interactive book is continuing to grow steam with plans in the works to be incorporated in many more programs.
For more information on the author and the book, visit: http://thethrivejournal.org.
Linda Pulley Freeman is the author of the book “Thrive!: An Interactive Journal to Inspire Spiritual Growth.” Since 1999, Linda has served as an Associate Pastor at Trinity Church in Miami, Florida and the Executive Director of its “one-of-a-kind”, faith-based community outreach ministry, Peacemaker Family Center. Linda has been married to her husband, David, for twenty-seven years. They have four children in their lives: Zachary and his wife, Daniella, Vanessa, and Nina, their niece.
