Like so many others, the corona virus pandemic was a time of reflection for me. Unlike so many others, I had an opportunity to sit and watch episodes of sitcoms now in global syndication I helped create for which I was never paid. That's (real) Hollywood folks.
This is my true story. I call it, Restoring Eden.
I read a scripture (as I often now do - though did not back then) that said:
But this is a people robbed and spoiled; they are all of them snared in holes, and they are hid in prison houses: they are for a prey, and none delivers; for a spoil, and none says, Restore. Isaiah 42:22
And then something really odd happened. After years of being broken down from jealous haters, broken promises and a personal lack of faith, this gray haired middle aged spiritual woman sitting on the couch arose during the covid-19 lockdown with compassion and empathy for the young naive twenty something version of herself. I was an aspiring writer with big dreams, a loving heart, with mediocre standards and questioning faith.
I was now ready to help myself. I was ready to get up. The problem was I still didn't know how.
Although, I had helped thousands of others with the content in my books, blogs, vlogs, podcasts, and scripts and yes even brought laughter to millions through my (un-credited) sitcoms, I had nothing. I owned nothing.
However, I did have my God given gifts, talents, patent-able product ideas, works in progress and a few copyrighted works. I had also discovered and nurtured my faith in an eternal higher power than I.
I had moved in with a family member who had just gotten divorced and also needed hope years ago. This person simply tolerated what she once saw as a rising star. When I looked into her dismal eyes, the person who looked back at me now usually looked away disappointed as if to say, "how pathetic."
I get it. I had worn out my welcome. I'm not sure even sure if I would have been as patient or tolerant.
Oddly enough, I had become accustomed to people laughing and sneering at me. After all, just a few years ago, I was attending Hollywood social parties with my once long flowing waist length dread locks started falling out one by one until I literally had to cut off all my hair which had become dry and brittle from stress. I looked like a monk as there was a bald circle on the crown of my head. I had lost all sense of vanity years ago so I walked around partially bald and fifty pounds over weight.
Don't cry for me. Though homeless, I now have a place to stay and food to eat daily.
When I first left NYC (and my developing film/television career), I had returned home tall gaunt, under weight with adult acne and eczema. My dermatologist had retired. My high school friends had moved on.
I developed an all natural personal wellness product (before organic was the "in" thing). It helped heal and restore my skin. I passed on an offer from L'OREAL and million dollar angel investment. It wasn't finished.
Besides, I had learned a little something about releasing intellectual properties without proper representation or protection. Knowing what I do now; the offer wasn't as good as it seemed.
So I had some experience when my hair fell out and needed help years later. These are all minor superficial things, but it does effect one's self-esteem.
I switched to natural products. My skin cleared up.
I started making my own natural hair care products. My hair also grew back. Yeah.
I celebrate small victories these days. They add up.
People (society) can be so mean if you look as broke on the outside as you feel on the inside. I knew I had to take back control over my own life.
Here I am. I am a middle aged woman of color reviewing her life. What was stopping me from moving forward with my life?
I eventually stopped getting rejection letters from publishers and literary agents. How?
I started my own boutique publishing company online. Now I tell my own stories unedited. Though they do need editing.
I had often passed by so many broken people living on the streets in NYC. I remember one eventful day having one person on my journey "come to life". That's the best way I can describe it.
He was the "town drunk" in the middle class Brooklyn community where I lived. His face was usually red and ruddy from the toxicity of daily alcohol consumption and he was usually crying and slurring something I couldn't quite hear as was the NYC custom. Stay focused. Ignore anything not on your agenda.
That day however, I will never forget. I had started just my spiritual quest for the true meaning of life and 
that included my authentic purpose.
I had started getting consistent jobs with major film studios, television production companies and major fashion magazines scouting locations and doing production management work leading towards being an independent producer. Thus far, success and prosperity had proven to be empty and shallow.
That particular memorable day the neighborhood town drunk stopped directly in from of me. It was a sunny day in Brooklyn. He calmly told me his life story.
It was like he heard me ask, "I wonder what happened to him?". Turns out he was once a successful local business owner who was married to a gorgeous young Latina woman who died in a car accident. He never recovered from the emotional loss.
Imagine that. He literally stopped in front of me stone cold sober and told me his entire story. Later when I attempted to speak or say hello he didn't recognize me. He returned to his murmuring. We never spoke again.
That same summer, I would experience multiple "stop and tell moments" with numerous complete strangers anytime and any place. I was never sure who they were seeing or speaking to so I would just be quiet and nod.
Maybe they were looking over my shoulder. It was such a sweet moment. I didn't want to get in the way. Now, the person who need me was my younger self.
The beautiful (I'm speaking of heart) young woman full of promise with a tiny drop of faith needed me. I was finally, mature enough in my spiritual faith to help her.
Instead of just watching the mega-successful sitcoms I helped create for which I was not credited or paid, (which I learned had garnered over ten billion dollars since my first Hollywood pitch meeting until now), I climbed through the cobwebs of my long hidden storage bins and pulled out my copyright registrations. Those old bins also revealed the places and people with whom I had met and pitched that summer.
Every attorney told me they could see my case, but it was a long expensive journey and it was also a "conflict of interest" for them. You see; those film and television studios were (and still are) their bread and butter especially during a pandemic.
But this time I was okay. I had faith. Instead of being angry, I finally realized that I was talented. People liked my work. It wasn't anything I would write today. No one got healed or improved their character or integrity. You know. It was silly. But I was young and silly then too.
I write grown up stuff now. But my work made people laugh. And for the first time in years, I watched my own work on television and I was able to laugh too when I and many others so needed it.
Then another miracle happened. A friend whom I checked on during the pandemic was in NYC with some of his work on display in Macy's when I called. He was fine. He just had a conflict with his business partner. I listened compassionately.
And seemingly out of nowhere, he offered to show me how to reclaim my lost sitcom royalty revenues. I had once told him my story while editing a documentary I was producing on a shoe string budget. It was a far cry from the millions of dollars I once managed for hollywood producers.
What? Help me? YES! I can't remember the last time anyone offered to help me! But he did. Just like that.
However, I had to be willing to do the work. I agreed.
So here I am. I went through the process and missed certain important deadlines. But, oddly enough (as luck and divine providence would have it) I am able to refile. This time. I know what to do.
Not only am I now in the process of recovering my lost revenues from major television studios, but I am also taking on a major tech company. This particular company has made it very difficult for me (and others) to create and publish new and original content and develop my organic personal care and wellness products privately. The key word is, private. I am a very private person.
They have been stealing my work offline. It is my intention to stop them.
The stress of it had once crippled me emotionally. I couldn't do my work. I thought I was just being paranoid. Then I started paying close attention. I saw it. Then I could not un-see it.
My friend had given me the key for which I had prayed. I now had faith and a way.
Technology can be wonderful when it helps others. But when it takes advantage of people forcing them to compromise their right to privacy and take ownership of their works, it's a problem I am happy to help solve for you me and future end users.
So what is RESTORING EDEN? It is anyone who helps facilitate truth, justice, righteousness, integrity and overall good personal and business ethics in the land.
This land being not only the USA but the global land. I believe this world of humanity is better when we are united for the respect of each other and the right to pursue happiness and well being without intruding upon or bringing harm to others. Help RESTORE the GOODNESS of the Creator to humankind
And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in. Isaiah 58:12
If a company, product or organization has wronged or injured you and you TRULY need help, first contact them to see if it was an incidental oversight. They may correct it.
But if not, and you can not afford an attorney, you can either seek an attorney to help you pro bono (free) or you can file the case yourself as a pro se plaintiff. There are many non-profit organizations that help unprivileged people recover lost revenues, rights, property, dignity etc. and have volunteers lawyers that can help you. It can be a long process but if you need the help, it can be worth it.
Use your Gift(s), Talent(s), or Divinely Purposeful Work(s) to help "RESTORE EDEN". Don't give up. Have faith. God will help you!
This is what the Lord says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s. 2 Chronicles 20:15
Make no mistake. Many of my blessings came to me because I helped others along the way. A daily kindness (mitzvah) or charity can be as good or better than gold. It opens doors. God helps you in turn.
Want to help? You can support my "david and goliath" style RESTORING EDEN project. Share this post and/or donate.
Send your gift as a friend via PayPal or Venmo via our Paypal link. Put "restoring eden gift" in the memo.
We wish all who seek that which is true, good and just great success! May the LORD bless you on your RESTORING EDEN journey! Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel. Follow us on Twitter. :-)
Thank you and be well!
LeTicia Lee
P.O. Box 20711
Rochester, New York 14602 USA
Watch Part 1 of the 4 Part shoe string budget documentary, My Love is One Tell Them I was producing for SoRichIam Media when my friend offered to help me here:
Here's Part 2 https://vimeo.com/355357936 Part 3 https://vimeo.com/355375617
and Part 4 https://vimeo.com/355385755
“The blessing of the LORD be on you; we bless you in the name of the LORD.” Psalm 129:8
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