I have had some amazing accomplishments, yet like you, I have a story. I’ve looked for the same answers that perhaps you have. So I am no different than you; Just an ordinary woman who desires to add value to my life and then share with you how you can do the same thing.
When writing a bio it is traditional to share all of the accomplishments of one’s life. But I’ve come to realize that you may not care about all of that. You care about who this person, Dr. Deana, really is and why should you want to work with her. Consequently, I’d love to share just a little bit of my journey. I don’t want you to know me as just another name on the internet
I’m a real person on an assignment to help one million women find the answers they need to create a brilliant reality lifestyle story that reflects her truest passions, authentic values, desires and deepest integrity.
I believe the key element is what you are made of. Please enjoy my story and I believe you will then begin to see who is actually behind this name, Dr. Deana!
To Thine Own Self Be True
Growing up, I lived in Virginia with my maternal grandparents because my parents were not together. My mom relocated to New York to work so she could help provide for me.
Although my dad was still in the same city with me, I often felt alone and wondered why I couldn’t have a normal family with a mom and dad like my friends had. I didn’t see him often.
My grandparents gave me love in their gifts and deeds, and I distinctly knew they loved me although I don’t believe I’d ever hear them say so. I don’t remember having my grandfather’s attention as my cousins did each time they came to visit.
I don’t believe it was intentional, it did, however, cause internal feelings of rejection and invisibility. I became real good at masking the hurt. I laughed a lot I guess as a way of burying my insecurities and loneliness.
It’s amazing how words sting. Too often we hide words in our hearts and wonder why we feel as we do. When I would talk with my cousins (I don’t have siblings) about my gifts and talents, and what I dreamed of doing, they would laugh me off and tease me.
That caused me to wonder if I really could do all those things. My self-confidence would take a dive. I would be so mad at them and would think to myself, “one day I’ll show them.”
Who Am I?
With so many mixed emotions I didn’t know who I was. After graduation I moved to New York to live with my mom. At the time I believed I wanted to be a nurse. I had this desire to help people and thought nursing was my best option. Wouldn’t you know it I twice failed the entrance exam! I literally cried. But now I am happy that door was closed shut.
As I said, with so many mixed emotions I didn’t know who I was.
Later, I got married. Talk about a loss of identity! In this abusive relationship it became almost impossible to voice my opinion, pursue my dreams or control my life. I would simply shut down. I was so miserable inside. The marriage soon ended.
I called a mover and took my daughter and our things out of there and have never looked back.
Still searching, I entered college with the desire to become a school teacher. Languages were required concentrations but French and I didn’t get along too well. My alternative major became Economics. That permitted me to successfully excel in corporate America, but still I wasn’t happy.
There was something more inside of me. I knew I wasn’t where I was supposed to be, and I also knew I was hiding behind a façade, comparing myself to others or looking to others for validation. This truly slowed me down.
The Freedom Ride
When the company I worked for down-sized, eighty-five of its managing directors were laid off. Yes you’ve guessed it, I was one of them. But I was thrilled! The severance package was handsome.
I remember leaving the building that day headed to the hair salon and later planned a vacation to southern Spain. That was the first phase to freedom.
It was during this time I began attending personal development seminars, network marketing meetings and purchased a host of personal development and self-help books and videos.
After joining another company, I traveled, and soon began public speaking and teaching others. That was my second phase to freedom. The desire in me to teach and train was still alive!
Then my mother became ill. When the doctor told me and my step-father that mom was dying of cancer, I went into denial. Things like this don’t happen to us! This was a very difficult time for me.
I met Eric Wayne Murphy just before this happened and he had the opportunity to meet my mom before she passed. It was a great joy to see her delight in the new man in my life. She was happy because she saw that I was happy and she also perceived Eric being a wonderful man. She liked him very much. That was the third phase to freedom.
Eric and I married a few years after mom’s passing. We later relocated to Eastern Pennsylvania where our lives would be forever changed.
Ultimate Freedom
Eric, my daughter and I developed a personal relationship with Christ and served faithfully in the ministries at our church. The ultimate phase to freedom.
At that time the home we purchased was very special to us. One day while I was decorating our guest bedroom, I became annoyed at having no access to the specialty shops I was accustomed to in New York city. This truly gnawed at me.
One day while thinking about the room, I heard a voice say to me, “Why don’t you design your own?” I remember saying out loud, “How am I suppose to do that?”
The voice was so clear that I remember turning to see who was there. No one was there. I came to realize it was God speaking to me. It was the first time ever I’ve heard what seems as an audible voice of God. I knew I needed training if I was to obey him and do this.
Several months later I enrolled in college for my second degree and this time it was interior architecture and design. I attended classes full time both days and evenings, graduating with the distinction of magna cum laude.
Several years after that time, I wrote my award winning book, Designing for the King: From Chaos to Order by Designing Within.
Adding Value to Your Life
Fast forward to today, I’ve researched and studied the topic of personal development and self improvement especially as it applies to women. I also traveled back and forth from Pennsylvania to Maryland to study, and I earned a Doctorate in Theology.
It is my desire to help women break self-imposed barriers and be free to live the life God planned for them. There is no magic pill. I’ve learned not to base my value by someone else.
Like the epiphany I encountered in the voice of God thirteen years ago to design tangible spaces, recently I had another epiphany of a striking parallel of tangible design to intangible design and then I recognized my obligation to create a new paradigm for how I approach women.
So today as a Marketplace Minister and LifeDesign Consultant, the marriage of design principles and spiritual principals has become a wonderful reality. I’ve created my proprietary 360 Interior Living S.Y.S.T.E.M. that develops four key areas: self improvement, spiritual growth, professional achievement and home and family management. With this TOTAL life makeover, women discover how to cultivate disciplines to renovate their lives and achieve their dreams.
I’m here to help you see eye to eye and stand toe to toe with your problems creating a protective barrier as you renovate and design your life. I’m here to challenge you. I’m here to elevate, educate and motivate you to persevere knowing that no matter where you are right now, you have the right to live the rewarding life that God created for you. No one can stop your growth or destiny but you.
Be sure to subscribe to my 360 Interior Living Report and visit my blog and column often for tools, keys and tips.
Be sure to connect with me on FaceBook and follow me on Twitter.
The time is NOW to cancel the contracts of low esteem, loss of identity, and stressful living.
Oh, by the way, you can now go here and read my traditional bio if you care to.
Reclaim your identity, own your power, live by design.
We’ll be speaking again soon, my friend.
To your freedom, strength and purpose,
