I am a middle-aged "young" woman. A social worker for the past 18 years, I've added life coaching to my repertoire of counseling skills. As a graduate of the MentorCoach Foundations Program in Bethesda, MD., I’ve embarked on my coaching practice. Coaching people who are interested in improving their lives, by encouraging them to move into action, is very exciting work.
For as long as I can remember, I’ve been interested in the theme of people overcoming adversity. It is uplifting to see how resilient people can be and the growth that can occur from personal challenges. To rebuild or recreate one’s life after a loss or major obstacle is very meaningful to me. I'm attracted to stories, books, movies and of course people who exemplify such triumph. Rather than finding it sad or morbid, it is inspirational. Creating a meaningful, good life despite.....is one of my areas of passion.
This lends itself beautifully to coaching, as one of my main areas of interest is in working with people who’ve experienced major life issues, - divorce, death, illness-, and helping them rebuild their lives around what is, rather than what isn’t anymore. When old dreams shatter, we must recreate new ones. Often, people get stuck and can’t move beyond the pain. The uplifting work is in being a part of that journey of paving out a new path.
Twenty six years ago, my dream of a perfect child was shattered upon finding out that she had neurological problems and would forever have certain disabilities. I was stuck and bitter in the "why me" mode. With the help of a gifted therapist (who was my motivating force in returning to school and getting my masters in social work), I was finally able to absorb the truism that there were no answers to the big Why questions; but that the real work was in the How - how to rebuild my life and create new dreams with the child I had.
The inspirational work is in helping people become better, not bitter; and in helping them move into the How of life.
Now for a few personal tidbits :
I am a daily walker and an avid hiker. For our big 50, my husband and I went on our first real hiking trip to the Swiss Alps (see photo above). Last summer we hiked in the Dolomites (Italy). During the summer, when I’m not working in the school system, I hike with a wonderful group of retired people known as the Wednesday Hikers in the Bear Mountain/Harriman area of New York. Climbing up steep hills and rocky areas behind 80 year olds is sure to curtail any kvetching (complaining) I might be tempted to do. Nature has had a definite calling to me for the last seven years as I get tremendous joy from this beautiful, active and exhilarating activity.
I attempt to put pen to paper and enjoy the process of writing. Since I can only draw stick figures and my piano is adorned with loads of photos, writing seems to have surfaced as a creative outlet for me. I'm greatly impacted by words -both the spoken and the written-. I hope to touch others with my words. So I’m trying to exercise my writing muscle and bring out my inner voice. (Click on Articles and you’ll see a couple of my published essays.)
I love learning and trying new things, especially ones that are meaningful to me. Two years ago, I went (with my amenable husband) on a Patch Adams clowning trip to Sicily, clowning in hospitals, hospices, orphanages, etc. No, we are not professional clowns; the requirement was simply to wear a costume and be silly. And no, I did not come back saying I’ve found my new profession. It wasn’t easy getting up in the middle of a crowded Italian square and pulling people up to start dancing. Pushing myself to be uninhibited enough to do that was work for me. But what a phenomenal experience! Discovering new aspects of yourself can be wonderful. There is so much untapped “stuff” in us all.
My most meaningful part of my life has been raising my three daughters. I loved being a mommy during the child rearing years and continue to enjoy mothering my adult children; and being a grandma, despite the across -the ocean relationship-.