When I graduated from high school, I had no idea who I was or what I wanted to do with my life. My parents were very strict while I was growing up and did not teach me about the world. The expectations were high, but the support was low. I stumbled through life as an "adult" with no passion for living. Now I have two kids, and they have helped me find my passion for life again. I wish to set an example for my girls and show them that life only holds you back if you allow it to. Far too often, young people are told what they can and cannot do with their life. Failure is taught as a bad thing instead of something to learn from. How else did we learn to fly if not by falling many times first? I received very little help from their father over the last thirteen years and always put my children first. Now I have decided to take care of myself too. Part of taking care of myself has going back to school and getting a degree. I have begun nurturing my mind again and not only focusing on my children. A healthy mother can provide a healthy environment. It was not wise to only care for my children and let my own needs fall by the wayside. My children are proud and inspired. I have learned to be proud of myself and my efforts. I started my journey less than two years ago. I have officially earned my associate's degree in Health and Human Services. I am in the process of enrolling in another program to continue my studies, working towards a Bachelor's in Psychology. My focus will be on children and adolescents. My current degree has opened doors for me. I am hoping to work within my community as a registered behavior technician. As an RBT, I will be helping children and families with developmental delays or Autism. My ultimate goal is to work with foster children and their families, providing the counseling and support they need to get through the hardships that come with life. Some children have hope of being reunited with their parents. I wish to foster that hope and work with the parents to find the best way for everyone to do their part. Other children are simply in need of a family to love them. Foster children face many emotional struggles. For those children, I want to help them learn to love themselves and discover their strengths.