The first career path I chose for myself was at age 12.
I was going to be a writer.
A published and successful author.
Throughout high school, I was told once, then twice, and on repeat, until I changed my mind, that being a writer wasn’t a game plan. My guidance counselor made it clear; writing was a hobby. Journaling was good self-care. Poetry was an excellent form of self-expression.
Writing wasn’t a career, at least not one that would pay the bills or be well-respected.
So I became a part-time cashier at a craft store.
When I wanted to become a guidance counselor, that inspired teens in my community to reach for more, follow the path less traveled.
And then I became a make-up artist for a prestige cosmetic line.
When I wanted to follow up my Bachelors in Psychology with a Masters and work in the prison system, rehabilitating those that society said weren’t worth saving.
I was a loan officer, a welfare fraud investigator, and now I investigate white-collar financial fraud.
All the while, I wondered what it would take to go back and earn a law degree.
I want to help people in precarious emotionally, mentally, and/or verbally abusive relationships understand their rights. Know when threats are being made what could hold up and what is being used as an intimidation tactic.
People might look at this and think, clearly, I have no idea what I want to do.
But I do know what I want to do. I want to help. I want to heal.
I want to serve others, which seems to make less and less sense to people as society dives deeper and deeper into this ‘self-made’ culture.
I loathe the direction society has been heading, so instead of just talking about it, I’ll take a page from every self-help guru’s book —
Be the change you want to see.
Life is too short to not do what you love. So while I’ll keep my 9 to 5 and continue to maintain a lifestyle I feel comfortable with, I’ve decided this year to forgo the resolutions and instead make a commitment.
I’ve made a commitment to myself, my community, and our future to create a space — a space that is the change we need to see.
A space that inspires people to choose the path less traveled.
A space that supports people who society feels aren’t worth saving.
A space that educates and empowers people who have been told otherwise. So they understand the undeniable fact that they are worthy of love, respect, and living their best life.
Stay tuned. The best is yet to come.
Get a feel for a woman behind the madness —
