---

Thriving Thursdays with Tanisha

Tagline: Leaving People Better, Bolder, Stronger & Wiser

A Journey with twists and turns

The Jamaican Breadfruit Tree

If you’ve ever planted a breadfruit sucker in your backyard, you’ll know the story. You water it, wait, wonder. A year passes and nothing. Two years — still no fruit. But one day — maybe three, maybe even five years later — you step outside and bam! There it is: your breadfruit tree, full and flourishing, bearing food in abundance. What a triumph! Time is currency.

That’s how dreams and visions work — especially the ones God plants in your spirit.

---

The Educator’s Crossroad: When the Wall Feels Final

For many teachers, the classroom wall is more than concrete. It’s symbolic. It represents safety but sometimes, stagnation. It provides structure but can stifle the soul’s whisper that says:
“There’s more in you.” This is my CONSTANT reminder.

Maybe you’ve had a vision — a business idea, a book, a ministry, a non-profit, a course, a podcast, or even a new school model. But between lesson plans, staff meetings, and squeezing your own life into “after school hours,” your dream feels…delayed.

But beloved, delay is not denial.

I’ve learned this lesson in the chapters of my 44 years on earth, of which 20+ have been ebbing and weaving in hope of a birth that is spectacular and flourishing. BUT…

---

Biblical Reminder: Though It Linger, Wait for It

In my waiting and wondering, the negative emotions flood like violent hail from the sky, hitting already broken areas of life that emotionally stretches you to THRIVE, not just survive, simply because you are BREATHING- there IS hope.

Like this Old Testament prophet, who, unlike most prophets who spoke on behalf of God to the people, Habakkuk speaks to God about the people.

He questions God directly about:

• Why there is so much evil, violence, and injustice.
• Why God seems slow to act.
• Why the wicked seem to prosper.

This makes the book very relatable to anyone who has ever asked:

“God, where are You in all this? And this question hangs like clouds on a rainy day that seem never ending.

“Habakkuk 2:2–3 (NIV) as our scriptural anchor encourages us to:

“Write the vision and make it plain… For the vision awaits an appointed time… though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay.”

Like that breadfruit tree, your God-given dream is on divine timing. You may not see the fruit now, but the root is growing deeper.

---

Theoretical Grounding: Vision, Growth, and Self-Actualization

Psychology also gives us a perspective into this delayed but not denied paradox, where, Psychologist Abraham Maslow placed self-actualization at the top of his hierarchy of needs — the desire to become all that one is capable of becoming. Many educators stop at esteem or belonging because “purpose beyond profession” seems indulgent when survival takes up your energy – what a draining experience this can be at times!

But living out your vision isn’t indulgence. It’s your divine assignment. If it nags you, it must be done. Start writing and researching to open the channels that will flow.

Similarly, Lev Vygotsky’s Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD) reminds us that growth often happens just beyond our current capacity — with the right support. So even if your vision feels “too far”, understand it’s within reach, especially with faith, intentionality, discipline, mentorship, and a supportive community. Every newborn takes time to grow before learning the “walk and stumble and get up again to keep going”

---

Cultural Cue: Tek Time, Build Yuh Boat (Take Time, Build Your Boat)

No time but the present is captured in our Jamaican expressive language. You may have heard the following old Jamaican proverbs:

“Time longer than rope.” -it’s a reminder that temporary situations are not permanent and that things will eventually change.
Or this one:
“One one coco full basket.” – emphasizes the idea that even small, incremental efforts can lead to a significant result. 

Dreams beyond the classroom — whether entrepreneurial, artistic, academic, or spiritual — are built brick by brick, prayer by prayer, plan by plan.

Jesus Himself was a carpenter and had a public ministry at 30. The Saviour of the world spent most of His earthly life preparing — not performing. There is power in patience. Give yourself grace.

---

Real Talk: What to Do in the Delay

The hardest thing to do when you are trying to figure it out is to START. I hope the following serve as a stimulus to get you started like our Jamaican flat race runners on hearing the gun that signals them to RUN!

1. Write It Down (Habakkuk 2:2)

Don’t just daydream—document.

• Journaling: Answer: What does this dream look like in 1, 3, or 5 years?
• Vision Board: Use Pinterest or a physical board to visualize key milestones.
• Blog/Notes App: Record progress, setbacks, and lessons. Future you will thank you.

2. Pray and Plan (Proverbs 16:9)

Faith without strategy is frustration.

• Clarity Prayer: “God, show me the next step, not the whole staircase.”
• 90-Day Plan: Break the dream into 3-month actionable goals (e.g., “Take a copywriting course” or “Connect with 3 mentors”).
• Weekly Review: Adjust as needed—detours aren’t denials.

3. Equip Yourself (1 Kings 18:43)

Opportunity favors the prepared.

• Skill Up: Free/affordable courses (Coursera, FutureLearn, YouTube, church, clubs/societies workshops).
• Network: Join Facebook groups (social media groups), attend local meetups, or DM someone who’s where you want to be.
• Start Small: Can’t open a bakery yet? Sell treats at community events first or one to one sales.

4. Speak Life (Even When It’s Still a “Breadfruit” Dream)

Protect your vision from naysayers—and your own doubts.

• Affirmations: “This delay is refining me, not rejecting me.”
• Circle Check: Limit time with people who mock what they don’t understand.
• Scripture Reminders: Post verses like Jeremiah 29:11 where you’ll see them daily.

Delay isn’t a dead end—it’s a detour with purpose. Keep going.

For the Person Who Feels Stuck in the Waiting Phase

Don’t keep this blog to yourself. Help somebody.

1. The Student with a Big Dream but No Platform Yet

• Problem: “I want to be a speaker/author, but no one knows me.”
• Action Steps:
  • Start a micro-content platform (TikTok, LinkedIn, or a newsletter) sharing 1-minute insights on your topic.
  • Volunteer to speak at local community events, churches, or podcasts (even small ones build credibility).
  • Write guest posts for blogs in your niche—many accept submissions from unknowns.

2. The Creative (Artist, Musician, Writer) with No “Big Break”

• Problem: “I’m talented, but how do I get noticed?”
• Action Steps:
  • Consistency > Virality: Post your work weekly (e.g., “Song Sundays” or “Art Wednesdays”)—algorithm favours regularity.
  • Collaborate: Feature other small creators—they’ll share your work too.
  • Sell Small: Offer digital downloads (e.g., poetry e-books, beat tapes, printable art) to build an audience that pays.

3. The Aspiring Entrepreneur with No Money or Customers

• Problem: “I want to start a business, but I have no capital or clients.”
• Action Steps:
  • Service First: Offer free/discounted work to 3-5 people in exchange for testimonials.
  • Validate the Idea: Run a fake ad (Facebook/Instagram) for your product/service to see if people click—before investing. Or simply test in your small groups.
  • Start a Side Hustle: Resell thrifted finds, freelance a skill (editing, design), or tutor online for quick funding or charge a small fee for your advice.

4. The Career Climber Stuck in Entry-Level Work

• Problem: “I’m qualified, but my job isn’t leading to my dream role.”
• Action Steps:
  • Skill Stacking: Add one certificate per quarter (Google Certificates, HubSpot Academy) to stand out.
  • Internal Networking: Schedule 15-minute virtual coffees with higher-ups to learn their paths. This also helps to build self-confidence to take on the unknown
  • Document Wins: Keep a “brag file” of achievements to leverage in reviews/job apps.

5. The Person with a “Weird” Passion (e.g., Farming, Vintage Cars, Theology)

• Problem: “No one around me gets it, and I have no mentors.”
• Action Steps:
  • Find Your Tribe Online or Face to Face: Reddit forums, Discord groups, or niche Facebook communities, church, clubs/societies are goldmines.
  • Apprentice for Free: Offer to help a local expert (e.g., a mechanic, farmer) in exchange for knowledge.
  • Turn Hobby into Content: A YouTube channel or blog tracking your journey attracts like-minded people.
• Like NIKE- Just Do It!

---

Key Mindset Shift

• “Classroom” = Your Training Ground
  • David practiced with lions and bears before Goliath (1 Samuel 17).
  • Jesus trained 12 disciples for 3 years before changing the world.
• Your “delay” is your foundation. Keep building.

I had to learn this SO MANY times- aise hard (stubborn) as we say in Jamaica. It is quite difficult to move from we know because that is where we find comfort. But we keep forgetting that what we know now and are comfortable with, were new before. Learning is lifelong and we need to move in gear as we navigate life’s roadways.

---

Final Thought: The Wall is Not the Limit

God has given you the power to teach AND build, serve AND soar. Let the classroom be the launching pad, not the finish line. Delayed does not mean denied. Dreams deferred are not dreams discarded.

So today, like that breadfruit tree in the corner of Grandma’s yard — tall, strong, and finally fruitful — know this:
Your season is coming. Keep planting. Keep praying. Keep preparing.

---

Reflection

What is one dream or vision you’ve placed on the shelf that God may be calling you to pick back up?
What’s your next small step to water that dream this week?

Relevance for Today — Especially for Jamaicans

In a society grappling with injustice, economic uncertainty, and spiritual searching, Habakkuk is a prophet for the doubting heart. His message encourages us to:

• Be bold in our prayers.
• Trust divine timing.
• Keep faith alive in seasons of waiting.

---

🙌🏽 Scripture Highlights:

• Habakkuk 2:2–3 – Vision awaits an appointed time
• 1 Kings 18:43 – Persistence in the face of silence
• Luke 2:52 – Jesus grew in wisdom and favor before His public calling
• Proverbs 16:9 – Human plans vs. divine steps
• Philippians 1:6 – He who began a good work in you will complete it

---

#Vulnerabilityisthesoilforgrowthandmaturity

“Your delay isn’t a denial—it’s preparation. 🏗️✨ New blog post: ‘Real Talk: What to Do in the Delay’ is live! #DelayedButNotDenied #FaithOverFear