One of my favorite things about publishing Macaroni Kid Chicago Midtown is the chance to connect with other parents in our community. Often times these connections inspire us and remind us of the ability of one person to make a difference. It is with this in mind that I have launched this article series called Parent with a Purpose. My hope is to introduce you to some amazing parents living right in our community who not only are doing unique and wonderful things but also deserve to have some attention brought to their mission.
I'm excited to introduce you to Jazelle Morriss, a local mom and performer who is passionate about supporting moms as they become the best moms and versions of themselves they can be!
Please get to know this local mom a little better and find out how you can be a part of her purpose!
Photo taken by Ernest Collins
What is your MISSION/PURPOSE?Ā What do you want to accomplish?
My mission is toĀ welcome and embrace my creative natureĀ in both work and play, while beingĀ presentĀ for my family and faithful to God. To use my gifts/passions to help, encourage, and inspire others to do the same.
What inspired/encouraged you towards this mission?Ā Ā
I Ā have always been drawn to the arts. The performing arts and visual arts have been apart of my story since early childhood. They say that if you ever need a reminder of who you are or what youāre meant to do, ask your mom or family members who have been apart of your life from the start. Itās true. My mother and siblings, even extended family know me to be the actress, singer, and dancer. The performer, the creator. This comes from singing around the house at the top of my lungs and being super dramatic in church performances, but also from competing in oratorical competitions and traveling while doing theater.
Somewhere in between being a young adult and having children, things began to get fuzzy. Where most were starting their career, I was planting seeds in my home life and only doing shows here and there. It worked for a time, but it wasnāt easy. I began to feel this pull between the two mentalities in societyĀ surrounding women that either looks down on moms who stay at home with their children or look down on moms who have to/want to work outside the home. It was so confusing at times that it was hard to choose what felt right for me. For myself. Not for anyone else, but for me. I had the opportunity to stay at home, which I am extremely grateful for, but I had been a working since freshman year in high school and knew that being a full-time stay-at-home mom could be difficult. I tried it for a while, but as time went on, I became restless.
I was cast in a couple shows, which I LOVED, but it wasnāt easy and because I didnāt see other moms doing it or knew of their insight, struggles, tips; I figured I was the crazy one and decided to stop.Ā It was during this season that things went downhill. I was very low emotionally. Iām a creative person but it was getting harder and harder to dream. To create. I felt stuck and a prisoner to my daily tasks. I cried a lot. I felt like I was in a fog. My love for my family was still present and I continued with my usual responsibilities, but care for myself started to wain a bit. I kept a lot of this to myself. I thought it was directly connected to what was happening with the website Iād started,Ā TheLittleTourist.com, which was doing good but still very new and a lot of hard work. TheLittleTourist provides kid-friendly ideas for families to enjoy together and has been a great resource for strangers and friends alike. This definitely fulfilled the mother part of me, but not the woman.
It wasnāt until I began to work with an amazing woman, who is now a dear friend, on my business goals that I realized I needed to take a step back and see what was happening withĀ me. Somewhere along the way, Iād forgotten who I was. Besides a wife of 13+ years and a mother of three, Iād forgotten who Jazelle was. It was scary to take time to investigate, honestly, because I had to face the disappointment and fear and uncertainties that came with that. It took me almost 10 weeks of writing, crying, and praying to get back to the point of acknowledging who I am. I am a creative. A performer. A creator. Thatās who I am. In addition, I have become a wife and a mother and although both are equally important and effect the seasons of my life - oneĀ cannot replaceĀ the other.
Once I finally got this, like really got it, my eyes were opened to see that there were many other women/mothers just like me. Feeling the same. Super discouraged. Hopeless, maybe even on the brink of suicide, and who didn't realize thatĀ they are not alone.
My story isnāt finished. Things arenāt perfect and wrapped in a nice bow. I'm still working. This is a new season for me and, at times, downright scary but it feels right! I am excited. I have energy. I am dreaming again. I am inspired again and the more I come into contact with amazingly talented women who are mothers and who are doing their thing; the more I want to share their stories. The more I want to fill my encouragement tank and lift up fellow creative and talented mothers at the same time. To say, āI see you. I know you. Youāre not alone. EmbraceĀ who you areĀ ANDĀ who you have becomeĀ because you're awesome!ā Itās so important that we allow space for this message to get out.Ā
How did your life before children influence the parent you are today? What part do your children play in your current mission?
I married my high school sweetheart in our second year in college, so much of my ālife before kidsā was during those very first years just after college when he was in grad school and I was (as he would call it) his āsugga momma.ā However, I traveled in high school doing theater around the Chicago area and overseas. Being exposed to the world in that way, while doing the very thing I believed I was created to do, not only instilled appreciation for my craft but it also reaffirmed that following your dreamsĀ areĀ possible.Ā I believe this very same thing for my children. I want to seeĀ whoĀ they are. What theirĀ bentĀ is and then be their biggest cheerleader.
The role that my children play in my mission is by being apart of my foundation. No matter where I go or how high I go; I want to always be present for them and for them to feel apart of what I'm doing. Not just in physical proximity, as often as is possible, but also in attention and focus and emotion. So that when mommy is off doing some show or speaking engagements, they know that they are still important. They are a part of it. Actually, I practice my audition material in front of them on a regular basisā¦and they tell me the truth. Itās not always that I did great, either! lol! They also pray for my events and auditions and are very aware of whatās going on inĀ myĀ life - not just what I do for them and their needs. Making them a part of it, makes what I do an āusā thing and not just a mommy thing. Thatās the way I want it.Ā
What lessons/values are you learning through this process? What lessons/values do you hope your kids are learning?
I am learning that it's not too late and it's not too early. Yes, I'm a little older and my children areĀ stillĀ young and in the house, but I'm alive! And that is reason enough to try, to move, to doĀ something! To invest in the passion inside of me that brings me joy and excitement. I may not be able to do everything I want right now, but that's not a reason to do nothing. Believe me, our families benefit from having happy and joyful moms!
I hope that by working hard for my dreams, I am showing my kids that they can do the same thing. That they are special and that what they are naturally drawn to has a lot to do with the reason they were created, to their purpose in life. I want them to lean into it. To embrace it. To celebrate it. It won't be easy all the time, but it's worth it. They are worth it.
What do you do to take care of yourself and how do you make time to do it?
Hmmmā¦this is a trick question! lol! The truth is that this is a working process for me. I get it right sometimes and get it wrong sometimes, but the fact that Iām more aware now is what makes all the difference.Ā
I love to read. I grew up without a tv in the house, so reading was my past-time enjoyment.Ā
* Grabbing a good book and relaxing is mental and physical health to me. It's special "me" time.
* Doing my hair, my eyebrows, my nails - essentially pampering myself boosts my confidence even if Iām feeling a little low.Ā
* Dancing! Moving to the rhythms, strengthening my body, and letting go. Itās just sooo good and Iām exercising at the same time.Ā It's a win-win!
* Classes. This may be a strange one but by investing in my interests (vocal, dance, acting, etc), my confidence grows even more. I feel more prepared to go after my passions. This affects me emotionally and mentally. And believe me, when I donāt have the funds for it - YouTube is the next stop! There are ways to get what we need. We just have to be willing to think outside the box sometimes.
Making timeā¦this is the tricky part. Iāve had to either do just that -Ā take itĀ from somewhere, make it happen, take advantage of an empty house because of school or family visits, when the kids are sleep, or just ask for help. I am also known for a good barter or trade arrangement. :)
What can we do to support you and your purpose?
First, thank you for offering to support me. That alone is priceless and deeply felt. I would like to encourage as many creative and talented women who are mothers, as possible. This includes business, the arts, education, etc. It doesnāt have to be performing arts, the way it is for me. Just to remind them that they have something amazing to share and to encourage them by showing examples of others mothers sharing their passions and loving their families at the same time. ItĀ ISĀ possible!Ā
Based on my experience and the need Iāve seen of others, I created and hosted my first event last fall calledĀ FULLYĀ Me. (Sharing your gift with the world, while being the mom you desire to be). It featured three amazing mothers who are active in their respective fields and kicking major butt! We got a chance to hear their journey, be encouraged by their struggles and victories, and be inspired with tips that we could put into practice immediately. The feedback left me speechless. The women in attendance were so grateful and wanted more time (than the 3 hours allotted) and more events like this one.Ā
Well, I am gearing up to host my second FULLY Me event for 2017. This time it will a workshop featuring a very special guest. A woman who is truly making waves in many different areas and who is willing and open to sharing her story. This will be the perfect opportunity to ask those hard and scary questions. A safe place to dream and think outside the box. And the time to be loved on, championed, and prepped for taking that passion into our everyday livesā¦because we still have to do the laundry, clean the house, and cook dinner!
I would love your support in passing on the word and helping me reach as many mothers as possible to come out to the 2017Ā FULLY Me Event. We areĀ NOTĀ alone, although we can feel like it often, and the more we pour into ourselves - the more we have to pour into the lives of our children. That is extremely important and I want to help my fellow amazing mommas do it...Share their gift with the world, while being the mom they desire to be!
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How awesome is Jazelle? If, like me, you're pumped to learn more about her next Fully Me event, stay tuned, as I'll be sure to share it on Mac Kid!
Macaroni Kid isn't the only one impressed by these local parents. I'm happy to be able to offer goodies from other Chicago local businesses to Jazelle to thank her for our work in the community. Thank you to these awesome sponsors for helping me recognize Jazelle and all of our Parents
Ā with a Purpose!
- A day pass from Purple Monkey Playroom
- $50 babysitting credit from Chime by Sittercity
- $50 credit for an in-home consultation or a spot in the Parent Cafe from Third Coast Birth
- A blow-dry with makeup touch-up from Chroma K8 Beautique
Do you know someone who fits the Parent with a Purpose bill? Maybe it's your neighbor, friend, child's teacher - send them our way! All you have to do is email me their name, email and why you think they're perfect for a Parent with a Purpose feature and I'll take it from there!
