Jill Hawkins: Finding Meaning, Guidance, Joy and Adventure Through Walking with God

12/03/23 • 35 min

From growing up in the old south to living in Manhattan, Europe,Japan, Africa and traveling the world, Jill has experienced a lot of life. But nothing compares to her walk with God, her acceptance of Jesus as her saving Grace and how the Holy Spirit touched her on August 5th 1996. She attends an African American church which is a far cry from the Episcopal church of her youth. Jill recounts how her agnostic father was saved on his death bed and how the Holy Spirit said “now” on her last visit with him. Her parents were buried with their passports and instilled in Jill the gift of travel and experience. “I want to be purposeful, be fruitful. I feel like I have a burlap bag filled with seeds, spreading them wherever God shows me.” JOY is mentioned 450 times in the Bible. Happiness is only mentioned a handful of times. Choose Joy, speak it. Trust God, for He can give you JOY.
Topic #1: Is this all there is?

Grew up in the narrow and unwavering old south
Decided not to be confirmed at 13; “I wasn’t ready”
I didn’t understand 3 powers in one

Topic #2: How would you sum up your early adult years?

We each had to go through what we had to
Impulsive reckless searching like tarot card reading, past life regression, etc
I was chasing vanity

Topic #3: What motivated you to change your way of thinking?

In the 11th week of my second pregnancy, I realized empathy was lacking in my marriage
I felt alone, until I met my baby nurse; she answered her phone, “Praise the Lord....Hello.”
Can I go to church with you?
It was on fire and it ain’t no Episcopal church
Whatever these people have, this is what I want
God put His Spirit in me

Topic #4: God always sees our promise

Don’t let me miss the opportunity
Words are powerful
We all want love
Trust God for He can give you JOY

To learn more about Jean and the Be Joyful podcast visit www.bejoyful.love.

Grew up in the narrow and unwavering old south
Decided not to be confirmed at 13; “I wasn’t ready”
I didn’t understand 3 powers in one

Topic #2: How would you sum up your early adult years?

We each had to go through what we had to
Impulsive reckless searching like tarot card reading, past life regression, etc
I was chasing vanity

Topic #3: What motivated you to change your way of thinking?

In the 11th week of my second pregnancy, I realized empathy was lacking in my marriage
I felt alone, until I met my baby nurse; she answered her phone, “Praise the Lord....Hello.”
Can I go to church with you?
It was on fire and it ain’t no Episcopal church
Whatever these people have, this is what I want
God put His Spirit in me

Topic #4: God always sees our promise

Don’t let me miss the opportunity
Words are powerful
We all want love
Trust God for He can give you JOY

To learn more about Jean and the Be Joyful podcast visit www.bejoyful.love.

Previous Episode

Jean Cameron Hill: My Path to Rediscovering Joy

In this premier episode, podcast author Jean Cameron Hill shares how she found her happiness in her 50’s through a radical shift in her life. She narrates her journey from her early years as a 10-year-old entrepreneur through her struggles with alcoholism, divorce, and single motherhood. She walks through her successes as a real estate agent and her radical decision to move out west and remarry. Tune in to hear what Jean's brass ring to success is and the eight lessons she learned to get there.
Topic #1 My early years

Life lessons learned
My entrepreneurial spirit is born

Topic #2: The Tough Times

College life and my 20’s
AA
First marriage/divorce
Single motherhood

Topic #3 Finding success in Real Estate

Search for the right fit
Build a real estate team
Offer marketing that other agents don’t offer

Topic #4 How I rediscovered joy

Reconnected with college crush
Moved across country & gave up my f/t real estate career
Establishing my brass ring for success

To learn more about Jean and the Be Joyful podcast visit www.bejoyful.love.

Next Episode

Soli Pierce: Turning a Talent Into Profit

Faced with the challenges of being a single mom, Soli Pierce just put one foot in front of the other and had faith that things would work out. She is an interdisciplinary artist working with natural materials and sound to create thought-provoking art. Soli honors herself, respects how she wants to live and doesn’t focus on what others want. Today, she has a standard to be respected, honored and treasured in all her relationships. Tune in to learn how Soli has navigated the twists and turns of life. Learn more at www.sherwoodforestdesign.com and www.solipierce.com

Topic #1 Describe your background, how you were raised and life before family

Raised in the midwest and the eldest of four children, Soli felt like the little mom early in her life and a sense of responsibility for her siblings
Her father sought to groom her for a specific path but she wasn’t buying it
Soli studied art for grad school
Went to Afghanistan for a month

Topic #2 How did you handle hitting a rough patch in your life?

Getting divorced from spouse with mental health issues and becoming a single mom with no financial support and mortgage to pay
Soli needed to find a way to support herself and son; “How am I going do this?”
“I could collapse into my story, or pull myself up by bootstraps”
Sent a prayer to the universe and the next day she decided that bowls were the answer

Topic #3 Why bowls?

When she decided to create her bowl business, Sherwood Forest Design, her Dad’s initial reaction was to “get a real job”
When we don’t limit ourselves, some of the best things can happen’
Bowls represent a universal circle theme and her them is “Recipe for a good life”
“We’ve gathered in circles around fire”; its a nurturing shape
She’s mentored young women who have become family

Topic #4 What’s next?

Sound forest was developed when she saw the discarded wood at her bowl factory
“I wanted to create totems from the discarded industrial waste”
Partnered with a sound engineer “so we can hear the sounds that come out of the totems”
Possibilities for installations in public spaces in NY
Encaustics painting with beeswax; “my art has been on display in Venice, London and NY; I love working with natural materials”
solipierce.com and sherwoodforestdesign.com
“I’ve let myself come out of the box to be a kid again”
In a new relationship with a man who “sees me and gives me time to create”

Topic #5 What is your “brass ring” for success?

Don’t restrict what will happen; there are no boundaries
Don’t get caught up in the moment; it can happen if you dream and think about it
While she acknowledges that she doesn’t always know how something can get done, she has faith that things will align
Never lose sight of your dreams

To learn more about Jean and the Be Joyful podcast visit www.bejoyful.love.