A Little Bit About Little Me

A couple of years ago, there was this trend among the local media to "out" themselves, to bare their souls, the reveal their most vulnerable sides. They wrote lengthy articles and blogs on social media, telling their readers all about them, their dreams, their fears. I commend these people and anyone else who has the courage to introduce themselves in such a raw way.

So many of us live in shame. We are ashamed of our choices, of our pasts, of parts of us that are out of our control. It's time to rise above the shame and say, "This is me. I like me. Take it or leave it." And I think that's the courage these individuals portrayed.

So, now it's my turn. A little bit about little me. And, when I say little, I mean 4-foot-8-and-a-half inches of me. And before you ask, my husband is 5'10", so yes, we are mistaken as father and daughter from time to time. Gives us a good laugh, though when I was much younger, I would have been offended. But, let me tell you, as you get closer to 40, you wish for the days that someone mistakes you for younger!

First and foremost, my favorite, most challenging job is that of Mommy. I like to think of myself as a Wonder Mom. Not because I'm that awesome at it, but because I often wonder how I am doing at this crazy job. I wonder if I'm feeding my kids the right food, disciplining them the right way, teaching them the right things. I wonder what my kids are doing when they are at school. I wonder if I'm screwing them up for life. I wonder if I worry too much....

I have a boy and a girl and in the past 6-plus years, they have taught me more about life than I ever could learn in school. They continue to show me how I can be a better person, how I can grow into the mother they deserve. I cherish them.

I'm also a licensed mental health counselor. I earned my masters degree in counselor education from the University of Central Florida (go Knights!) and I've worked in a variety of settings including non-profit organizations, a university campus, hospitals and private practice. The journey of therapy is a delicate one and I am honored to have walked that journey with so many amazing people. People often ask, "How do you do it?" Yes, to witness the pain of another can be heartbreaking. But to witness them emerge from their darkness as stronger human beings fills my heart. And that's why I do what I do.

I've always known I wanted to help people. When I was three years old, my mom asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I said, "a helper." I didn't know what that meant, but I knew that's what I wanted to do. I also knew I loved to write. I began reading and writing at an early age and, in some form or another, it's always been a part of my life.

I encourage you to do something courageous today. Find someone you trust and let them in. You may be in for a surprise.