We had the good fortune of connecting with Czarina Lynell and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Czarina, every day, we about how much execution matters, but we think ideas matter as well. How did you come up with the idea for your business?

The idea and mission for my business is all centered around my name – Czarina (Serena). My name comes from the Russian Queen of Czar. The root word Czarin or Serene, means just that – peace, calm, and serene. Amongst family members and friends, I have always been the peacemaker. Yet, there was a constant war battling within my spirit between guilt, resentment, shame, stress, anxiety, anger, and depression. It wasn’t until after my diagnosis I realized all I ever wanted was peace my whole life. I wanted to be at peace. I’ve also wanted others to be at peace.

During my breast cancer treatment journey, I experienced a peace like never before. I wanted that feeling to stick around for the rest of my life. I know it was the Peace of God. So, as I was writing my debut memoir, Finding Czarinaty: The Journey to Peace Through Cancer and Chaos, I realized it was time for me to heal in all areas of my life and truly find peace. As a result, spreading peace and positivity became my mission. Or should I say, I finally embraced my calling. This is when I discovered my true purpose in life – to spread positivity and encourage peace. Thus, the Peace & Czarinaty Lifestyle brand was birthed.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Since my diagnosis, I have said, ‘yes’, to everything God has told me to do and placed in my spirit, including finding a non-profit organization, creating a lifestyle brand to encourage peace, starting a podcast, becoming a mental health advocate, and becoming an author. I am a thinker – so there are a million and one thoughts that flow through my head daily. Whenever I hear from God, it’s a whole production! When I receive a revelation or a thought to do something, I make moves. I take action right away. The downside to being a thinker is I spend a considerable amount of time “thinking” trying to come up with creative ideas. The downside to being an action-taker and a perfectionist is I want to start the task and finish the task all in one day. Oh and did I mention – its has to be perfect. I know I know – that’s crazy, right? However, it shows just how passionate I am about everything I do.

The toughest part is being a one-woman show and loosing hours of sleep. I’ve learned to take each day and focus on a few things, rather than overwhelming myself with many tasks. I’ve also learned when I get stuck, to stop, step away and take a breather. Then come back around to the task at hand with a renewed mind and renewed energy. Since my diagnosis, I have made it my mission and purpose to be an influencer of peace. I can honestly say that I am at a point in my life where I am walking in my purpose. I have true peace in my heart, and I am living my truth without shame, guilt, or resentment. As a Peace Influencer and Mental Health Advocate, I want those who are silently suffering from the SAAD Woman Syndrome (Stress, Anxiety, Anger, or Depression) to know they are not alone. I endeavor to encourage all generations to embrace, create, and maintain peace.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Now this is an interesting question!!!! I don’t get out much, but if I could, we would visit the following places: Little Elm Beach, Lake Lewisville, Grapevine Mills Mall and the Allen Outlets, Fortunata Winery, African American Museum, a few restaurants in the Deep Ellum Area, and  Toyota Music Factory area.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Absolutely! I want to give a shoutout to my family and friends, but most of all to my loving and hard-working husband. He was such a vital part of my support system during my breast cancer treatment journey. I owe many thanks to my husband for burning the midnight oil with me on many nights, my friend Shamilah Ivory, who has also burned the midnight oil all the way from California, and my publisher, iChampion Publishing for believing in me and helping me share my story with the world. I want to thank my father who has always believed in me. I would also like to thank my bestie and sister from another mister, Ms. Benicia Harris and my bonus mom, Roberta Thomas (her mom), for all of their love and support – not just showing up from afar, but showing up physically. Last but certainly not least, I want to give a shoutout to Pastor Sheryl Brady, Bishop Joby Brady, and the entire TPHND (The Potter’s House of North Dallas) Church Family. Their prayers, love, and support has been felt since the day I was diagnosed. The callas, the texts, the emails, the house visits and the hospital visits meant the world to me!

Website: www.peaceandczarinaty.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/peacenczarinaty/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/czarina-matthews-41aa5584/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FindingTheBook

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutDFW is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.