“The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate.”

Dedication

First and foremost, I would like to devote this autobiography to God, whose presence has never vanished from my life, even during times when I have questioned my capabilities. His direction has accompanied every step I have taken and every door that has opened or closed tenderly. My life is not a record of perfection but rather a testament to grace, patience, and divine timing.

The recipients of this work, which I dedicate with profound affection, are my parents, the late Reverend Edgar Rolle and the Reverend Mother Prudence Rolle, whose lives served as sermons long before they ever stepped behind a pulpit. Through them, I gained the ability to exercise discipline without resorting to harshness, faith without fear, and service without the hope of receiving praise. Their example molded my conscience, strengthened my ability to persevere, and helped me realize that the first step towards leadership is to demonstrate humility.

Next I would like to dedicate this to Daughters: Mrs. Shanta N. DiBlasio and her husband, Peter A. DiBlasio. Mrs. Thamra T. Munnings and her husband, Sean Z. Munnings; Ms. Krystle A. Rolle; and Mrs. Bianca P.C. Bullard and her husband, James Bullard.  And my grandchildren: Sana G. DiBlasio, Aliyah M. DiBlasio, and Noah L.R. Munnings.

You, my family, my kids, and my grandkids, are the best part of all my responsibilities. When I was feeling overwhelmed by the work, you helped me to remain grounded and reminded me of the importance of putting compassion before position. For me, your love has been a safe haven and a source of inspiration.

Every life I have encountered along the way has inspired me. This life’s journey has been worthwhile if my presence brought even a moment of calm, if my words brought clarity, or if my listening brought consolation to those who were experiencing it.

“It is not where you come from that matters, but where you are going.”

Phase 1: Roots in Quiet Places

I primarily remember things other than the moments I have spent in Lowe Sound, Andros, when I recall my childhood days. Growing up there was an entirely unique experience for me. Not only was there a feeling of security, but there was also a subtle weight of anticipation. I was aware that others admired me, yet I also recognised that they were shaping me. As a child, I knew my life was preparing me for something, but I didn’t know what.

Having a large family meant that I was never completely alone when I was growing up. It was a source of comfort, but it also brought about a sense of pressure. I was taught at a young age how to divide up space and attention and be responsible for others. There were times when I yearned for solitude or for something that was uniquely mine, but I kept those sentiments to myself and rarely expressed them out loud. The alternative was for me to learn how to adapt myself internally, to become more watchful rather than expressive. Although at the time it felt like I was learning to carry things softly within myself, that inward adjustment would ultimately turn out to be a strength after some time had passed.

The responsibility arrived without delay, and along with it came a range of feelings. When I was trusted with important jobs, I had feelings of pride; nevertheless, I also experienced feelings of worry that I would make a mistake. Errors were not disregarded, and criticism carried a significant amount of emotional weight. I remember times when I felt embarrassed, times when I wished I could vanish for a short period of time, and times when I decided to improve my performance merely so that I would not let down those who had faith in me. Even before I had a firm grasp on the concept, those emotions taught me the importance of accountability.

My emotional landscape was formed by faith just as much as my moral landscape was. The church was a place of reverence, stillness, and discipline; it was a place of worship. As a child, I was forced to sit through lengthy services, which challenged my patience and taught me to exercise self-control.

“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”

Phase 2 : Learning Beyond Familiar Ground

The decision to pursue higher education arrived at me in stages, not in a linear fashion but rather as a series of deliberate decisions made at various points when I was ready to face the world. Upon reflection, I have come to realise that the path I took during my educational experience was more in line with duty than it was with convenience. Every certificate arrived at a moment when I was not only ready to learn but also more than ready to put what I had learnt into practice with self-control and attention to detail.

My initial encounter with higher education was based on the principles of skill, organisation, and professional discipline in the field. Cosmetology Science was the subject of my Bachelor of Arts degree, which I earned in 1982. This industry required a great deal more than just creative skill or technological expertise. Respect for the process, precision, patience, and consistency were all necessary components. I realised that the key to achieving excellence is to repeat myself and pay close attention to details. Carelessness was not an option in this situation. There was a consequence associated with every method, and every conclusion was a reflection of preparation.

Following the completion of my Teacher Certification with Honours in the same year, I went on to receive a Master Instructor’s License in the same year, 1982 itself. Having these qualifications signified a significant internal transformation for me. To make the transition from practitioner to educator, I had to accept responsibility not just for my performance but also for the growth of other people. Clearness, emotional awareness, and ethical consistency were all necessary components of teaching. The moment I was standing in front of the pupils, I became acutely aware of the power I wield. I realised that the way I taught was just as important as the content.

In my experience, education has never been solely about advancing my own personal standing, as the transcript makes very evident. From the very beginning, education was inextricably linked to community service. 

“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”

Phase 3 : From Learning to Lived Responsibility

During the third phase of my life, I reached a point where duty ceased to be merely theoretical and instead became intensely personal. It was during this era that people eventually stopped coming to me because of my title and instead contacted me because they trusted me. My counselling practice had already been professionally defined for a considerable amount of time before individuals began seeking me out. They arrived in a subdued manner, frequently unclear of what it was that they required but aware that they needed the services of someone who would listen to them without passing judgement.

This thought process was a natural outcome of the interaction of living things. People contacted me after having conversations with me, through other people’s recommendations, and occasionally in times of distress. My availability was not advertised in any way. Need discovered me. And as I continued to interact with people, I grew more conscious of the fact that listening carries duty. The moment someone confides in you about their private lives, you are no longer merely present in their life. Accountability lies with you.

As the number of these interactions increased, counselling began to take a more distinct form. In the past, informal counsel necessitated the establishment of ethical structure, emotional discipline, and intentionally set boundaries. This evolution led to the establishment of my counselling business, where I currently work as a Christian counsellor. I provide counselling services that are confidential, both digitally and in person, and I do so both locally and globally. This technique did not originate from a desire to achieve something. The need for it led to its emergence.

A significant number of the people who travelled to see me were dealing with emotional suffering, spiritual difficulty, pressure from leadership, or strain from their families for various reasons. Some of them arrived with wounds that had been there for a long time. Several individuals arrived during times of immediate distress. 

Note of Thanks

I would want to express my heartfelt gratitude to each and every person who took part in this adventure alongside me. I am truly grateful to each and every one of you. The existence of this autobiography is not due to the fact that I walked my path by myself; rather, it is due to the influences of faith, guidance, correction, encouragement, and trust that were provided to me over a period of many years. Among them I want to give my thanks to Pastor Apostle Dr. Christopher Russell, Reverend Dr. Oswald Poitier, and Mrs. Da’Shann Adderley.

I am deeply grateful to those who believed in my work, even when it was unseen. Your trust helped me strengthen my commitment and remember how important it is to be honest and consistent. I thank those who have confided in me their experiences, challenges, and aspirations for their bravery and trust. You gave me the opportunity to serve with a purpose, which is a privilege.

I would want to express my deepest gratitude to coworkers, mentors, church leaders, educators, and people of the community whose guidance and example have been instrumental in shaping my development. Each and every lesson, whether verbal or visual, has shaped who I am today.

First and foremost, I express thanks to God for grace, clearness, and strength in each and every season. In the continuation of this journey, gratitude, humility, and a renewed dedication to faithful service are all essential components.

Thanks,

– Dr. Chryslee Rolle