Who am I?
It is extremely unnerving for me to write about myself. I am wondering what I should say and how I should phrase it. Well, here goes:
I am Uylander Jack. Wife. Mother to two beautiful daughters. Sister to six sisters and one brother. Seventh child in the line of eight children. Immigrant. Writer. Dabbling photographer. Playwright and Director. Speaker. Educator.
With over 25 years in higher education, I hold an MSc in Human Resource Development and a BSc in Administration. These qualifications have been pivotal in shaping my career path, focusing on enhancing organizational processes and supporting individuals’ growth.
Love Affair with Stories
As a child I have always been especially curious, wanting to know why something happened and the background behind the story. In high school, I used to spend every day in the library. Furthermore, needing to know and understand different perspectives was important to me.
Impact of Stories
I believe that everyone has a story that is useful to others. If we can share our stories, what we did, what went well, and what didn’t go well, along with the lessons we have gleaned from those experiences, imagine the impact that can be made if we packaged those stories and lessons to light the path of those who are coming behind us. What transformation!
With this in mind, how relevant each life would be if we reached out to others to say, “I am here as a sounding board. The path you are on or are thinking of taking is dangerous. I tried it, and you may not want to go there.”
My motivation
I enjoy connecting with and helping people. Besides, listening to and appreciating a good story doesn’t get better than that! Moreover, every person has a story that can be used to assist others. By the way, remember when you were in elementary school? If you were like me, I always wanted to know how the teacher in the grade above my current grade, teaches. I wanted to know whether they were kind, stern, fun-loving, and especially if they were a hard marker. Why was that important? Although you would not need that information just yet. You were preparing for the next stage of your elementary school journey.
In the same way, the Intentional Immigrants seeks to provide direction, clarity, inspiration, motivation, and encouragement for those who need a nudge in the right direction. My ultimate aim is to empower each and every person so that they can operate from a place of strength.
Life is Short
I have always been aware of the brevity of life. The fact that we are not here forever. Nevertheless, this fact was intensely brought home to me with the loss of my nephew on November 5, 2020, Andre Patterson,
to cancer – one of my favourite people in all the world. He was just 35 years old. An especially wonderful father and husband who left behind his wife and 2 beautiful daughters (five and three years old). For me, Andre’s passing highlighted the following lessons:
We are not here to stay. Make the best use of our time, influence and resources.
Leave a legacy….make it worthwhile.
Nudge others along the path of life by encouraging, uplifting and making their interaction with us, a positive one.
Life is short, live it well.
Finally, in Psalms 90:12 we are encouraged “teach us to number our days, so that we may apply our hearts to wisdom.” Being intentional and aware of our impact and influence will go a long way to empowering others.
My utmost desire is that these collections of stories and lessons will provide knowledge, inspiration, and motivation for each person so that we can empower immigrants and others – one at a time.
“Your story matters!”