As strong as one person may be, there is no universe in which any one of us don't need someone else. A community, a single strong relationship, and group of friends, a spouse or partner. Everyone needs somebody. Somebody to be known by, understood by, heard by, and someone who they know back in those same ways. This type of relationship can come in all shapes and sizes and change at different points in every person's life. Relationships and connection with others often look different and unique for all of us, but we all need it. As the world becomes more and more driven by technology it becomes easier to try and find these close, meaningful relationships online, rather than in person. A person has the ability to portray whatever they want online and be whoever they want. It becomes much easier to fade into a group of people, or aa crowd of strangers online and convince yourself they are "your people" or "your friends". The strength of connection you get from seeing someone face to face is much more valuable. This is an authentic kind of kinship that can't be given the same way online. Having such high-level technology is great way to connect with long distance friends or make far away connections. However it is nearly impossible to have an entirely online relationship, that has true meaning and depth. People need to be seen, heard, cried with, hugged, and there are aspects of that, that can't, and never will be able to be met over a form of media. It is important to remember the level of value that face-to-face human interaction carries. This is not only for the strength of a relationship, but it also impacts the wellbeing of our minds. Our minds, as hard as we try can never be fulfilled solely by the online connections we have made. Our brains need us to know people, and see people, to be seen by people, both physically and emotionally. This is an authentic and raw connection that can't be made up over a phone, computer or iPad. Increasing awareness of this importance, as well as encouraging others to go out into the world and find this connection is the best way to preserve it. One of the big reasons this online connection becomes preferred to a real time one, is because of the ease. Typing words in a box, rethinking them, making it sound exactly how you want, then pressing send. Taking several pictures and finding the perfect one to send. These are things that can't be replicated in person, you have to be authentic. You can do your hair before you go, but you can't guarantee it's going to look perfect halfway through the day when you take a picture with your friend. You can plan what you are going to say or a mindset you will talk through to portray the image or appeal you want to, but at the end of the day the words come out the way they do. You have to have this level of vulnerability and courage to be seen by others and furthermore to be known by others. There is an aspect of this that can be extremely frightening and often times can scare people away from genuine connection. face to face connection used to be the only form of relationships people had, but as other technology has come into play, people have found an alternative route, that can be useful at times, but is ultimately a bad practice for making genuine, meaningful and authentic connection with others. Spreading the word about the importance of face-to-face connection and encouraging others to continue to see one another genuinely is going to be a constant battle, but one that will be helpful and meaningful to everyone who does is.

I have always known there was something different about me than most people growing up. My bottom lip would get so chapped, and right below my bottom lip would be super chapped, because from a very young age I have struggled with immense worry and anxious feelings. I was always afraid and cautious as baby, and growing up that showed in the form of worry and anxiety. I have also had a heavy sadness prevalent in most of my life. While some people have suggested depression I have never had an official diagnosis. Growing up I never felt understood by those around me and as becoming an adult I have taken on the passionate desire to make every young kid, no matter their background, or place in life, to feel understood. In my career I want to work with kids who have a hard time expressing their emotions, kids who have big emotions and don't know where to put them or what to do with them. I know i was one of those kids growing up, I didn’t have room for emotional expression, and I didn’t have any personal tools to feel capable to handle my emotions and I have felt the impacts of my emotional deficiency as I have become older. I learned when I was young to live with my mind, assuming everyone had a similar time and I was just weaker, or less capable of handling things. As I got older I realized that not everyone, not even my sister (my best friend) had a similar life. She had no gage for what I was experiencing day to day. It felt injust that no one had ever told me or helped me process how I was different and how I should try to handle my differences. I felt emotionally let down and in the dark about my own mind and what it was to be in my mind. Later on I asked my parents why they never saught out anything to help me, various reasons, like they thought I was just dramatic, they thought it was a phase, they didnt know who to reach out to. I do not blame my parents for inadequately supporting me at a young age. But this experience and the reflection on this experience is what lit the flame and made me want to pursue other young kids, and there parents. I want to help families, from all aspects tackle big emotions, make room for them, provide a healthy supportive space for them, and equip young kids with the tools they will need for the rest of their life, to manage and regulate their emotions.

Evet since I was young I have struggled with heavy sadness, as well as challenging and at times crippling anxiety. There was a time in elementary school that I had a panic attack and I couldn't speak for an hour, because my anxiety was to high. Growing up no one recognized these as fundamental issues, only weaknesses I had. Understanding myself more and going to therapy has helped me be able tk understand what it was that happens in my brain. Being able to understand myself and accept myself with grace has been such a useful tool to be able to regulate and calm myself. I have leaned preventative measures that inable me to function in society. Going into college I had a lot of fear and anxiety about all the changes that would occur. I thought for a good portion of highschool that college was going to enact to much change and I would not have the mental strength to overcome the fear and anxiety the change brought on. I found myself about ready to give up applying to any schools, imagining a life as a mom and waiter or nanny until I was a mom. It was after some personal growth and tome I took for myself that I was able to truly understand that I would be able to tackle the change, and the anxiety that came with it. I had done difficult things before and I would continue to overcome them the way I had in the past. More than anything I wanted to prove to myself that I would be capable and strong, even when my mind felt that rush of anxiety when things started to change. I have decided to pursue a psychology degree, with the goal of helping young kids who have issues expressing and representing their emotions appropriately and effectively. I see myself in young kids who cant contain their anger, sadness, excitement, or other big emotions that parents often shut down automatically. I want to serve in a field where I can provide kids tih useful tools to help regulate themselves. I also want to serve in a field where I can double at assisting parents with the same tools and give them a better understanding of what its like to be a young person with big emotions. I want them to know that there is room for every emotion and parents and children can take care of themselves and one another to exhibit a healthy and understanding relationship with one another.

One person can only have so much capability, a community however is unstoppable. I have never thought that people were meant to accomplish things on their own. Everyone needs and relies on a community, the most effective and efficient way to do things is together. I believe that we are all individually stronger when we come together to do something. For me community has a huge impact on your life. You need others to lift you up, support you and to know them have your back. I think what you put into community is what you will get out of it, that is one of the most beautiful elements of it. For me community service has always been a part of my life. Growing up my family and I would go help impoverished neighborhoods, we would do simple acts of kindness such as planting some flowers or plants for harvesting. We would talk to the home residents and get to know them. I nevrler thought we did much work but they were always so happy and grateful to each of us. When I was in highschool I had the opportunity through my high GPA to be in National Beta Club, I became a part of it as soon as I could. There were other clubs that invited me, but Beta Club stuck out to me because it was a service based club. I invited several friends to Beta club and I belive I really showed some people how good caring for others can feel. I have always been someone who likes to nurture others, and I knew I wanted to go into a nurturing related career field. My mom and I came up with the idea of ABA for me. Im still not sure what exactly I plan to do with my career and degree, but I always want the opportunity work with kids. Growing up i would babysit for kids in my church or my neighborhood and even now I regularly babysit for lots of families. I like to think that I give back to my community the way they give to me now. I know I will continue to do this my career, wherever I end up I will be enriching the lives of young children, giving them tools to help themselves in everyday life, and providing their parents with the tools to give them a space to express themselves and feel understood within their family. I belive that every child needs the chance to be understood and my aim is to give everyone that chance at an affordable price. I want to be known in my community as a business owner, a leader, a mother, a caretaker, and a strong standing community member.