Atlanta-based motivational speaker Victoria Teague is an educator and counselor with emphasis on overcoming PTSD. Her specialty is helping women who have been trafficked live their dreams.
After experiencing tragic loss of her younger sister to cancer and becoming a victim of teenage rape, Victoria fell into addictive behaviors to find acceptance. She ended up in the wrong crowd and meet a “pimp-like boyfriend” who trafficked Victoria for 4 years. Victoria was rescued by a brave woman in the community and through her unconditional love and family support, Victoria’s life was radically transformed.
Victoria’s Friends was birthed out of the life-changing work God did in Victoria’s life.
After graduating from college with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and working as a corporate sales consultant, Victoria discovered her life’s calling to help people reach their full potential. During this time, she learned various tools and processes to help people think about their inner values, purpose, and vision.
Victoria is a trained Stephen Minister, and since 1995 has successfully counseled many women. In 2000, she founded her nonprofit charity, Victoria’s Friends, to work specifically with women in crisis. She has significant experience with life-altering issues such as abuse, addiction, rape, eating disorders, abortion and homelessness. Since that time, too, Victoria’s Friends has sponsored Baskets of Love, an outreach to women in the adult entertainment industry. Victoria’s goal is to help individuals heal from their wounds, move past their fears, and tap into their unique God-given gifts and calling in life.
Victoria has additionally authored two books. One, Reaching for Life is her amazing testimony, and the other, #1 best seller Finding Heaven in the Midst of Hormonal Hell, is about spiritual and mental care. You can purchase her books using the links below.
Special note about the logo: Why a firefly?
It was during my empty nest season. If you are a parent of college age children you know the bittersweet season of watching your kids get their wings. I have very close relationships with my children and I was trying to adjust to the season without them in my home. My daughter was renting a home with 4 other college students and I was visiting. They rented a beautiful home with a full backyard and a creek coming alongside, in a very wooded area near the college. We had just heard gut-wrenching news that a friend who grew up with my children had been killed in a tragic car accident at the tender age of 21. As news hit, it just ripped my heart out of my chest, I could not breath. I stepped out on the back deck that hot summer night as the sunset. Full of grief, full of anguish and sadness as I looked out off the deck FIREFLIES LIT UP THE BACKYARD. Somehow this gave me great comfort. It was the light I needed on that dark evening. It was God saying somehow things will be okay.
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Fireflies are fascinating little creatures. For most of us who grew up in the south, when you see a firefly it takes us back to summer nights and campfires and the innocence of childhood. We think of light and illumination when we see this mysterious bug.
An ordinary looking creature during the day, admittedly, yet the firefly is a spectacular sight when it glows at night. As I thought about the firefly I realized not only did it comfort me it also offers many symbolic messages, here are some:
LIGHT
This is a symbolic message to us that although our physical appearance may seem one way – it is our internal makings – what is inside us, such as our spirit that makes us shine from the inside out.
“For God said , Let light shine out of darkness, made HIS light to shine within us.” 2 Corinthians 4:6
That which is within us will always illuminate us and those around us.
Shine your light bright!
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HOPE
What about the symbol of hope. It is a beautiful symbol. Hope is like a strand of light when someone feels like there is no way out and feels in the complete darkness. Then a strand of light appears, and we come back to life, and begin to hope again. The firefly comes out when the dark is setting in and shines its ray of hope.
“For I know the plans I have for you , says the Lord, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11
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GUIDANCE
Guidance is also one of the symbols that fireflies represent. The natural instinct of a being is to follow the light instead of getting lost in the night. And it’s true that when you’re walking in the night and you suddenly see a firefly, your natural reflex is to follow it, because it is fascinating, and because it looks like it’s guiding us towards the right path.
“The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.” Isaiah 58:11
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LAUGHTER
We need laughter in this dark and oftentimes dismal world.
IF GOD CAN MAKE A BUGS BUTT LIGHT UP, THINK WHAT HE CAN DO FOR YOU!
Laughter is good for the soul. “A joyful heart is good medicine” Proverbs 17:22
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Throughout my books, blogs, mentoring sessions and hIkes you will often hear about Light, Hope, Guidance and Laughter. For these are keys and hints from our firefly to make it through those dark nights.
In His light, Victoria Teague
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ABOUT VICTORIA :
Atlanta-based motivational speaker Victoria M. Teague is an Amazon #1 Best-Selling author, educator and mentor whose specialty is helping women to live their dreams.Victoria is a trained Stephen Minister, and since 1995 has successfully counseled many women. In 2000, she founded her nonprofit charity, Victoria’s Friends, to work specifically with women in crisis coming out of sex trafficking. Victoria lives outside of metro Atlanta with her husband and three australian shepards. She is blessed with two wonderful young adults, a son and a daughter.