My future career goal is simple: to help other people. Through years of different careers, let alone personal life situations, I have come to realize the importance of having a BA in Psychology. Within my own personal trials and tribulations, there were plenty of times that I felt as if I was the only one dealing with certain situations and emotions. I do not want another person to experience that form of loneliness. By having my BA in Psychology, I will be focusing on Substance Abuse and Counseling. In five years, I would have graduated from Aspen University and aspire to work with other trained psychologists to begin the healing process for anyone who seeks treatment. In ten years, I aspire to have my own practice by continuing to work from home while helping others achieve their own milestones within substance abuse and/or addressing other life event struggles. My ultimate goal is to be there for others. To offer a judgment-free conversation, with reliable resources to help individuals achieve their own goals and dreams.

My world changed forever on November 14, 2018, with a single "bump" from a car accident. I was rear-ended on the interstate. At first, I thought I was okay, due to the adrenaline and my stubbornness to get checked out. Unfortunately, I ended up with multiple injuries all along my torso along with mental challenges that I continue to work through daily. I've seen this happen before on YouTube videos, or hear about it from word of mouth, how an accident can affect a person for the rest of their life. My uncle is a prime example of such. However, through his injuries, he became hooked on narcotics and no longer mobile on his own due to him giving up and caving into the needs and wants of his pills. I was determined to not follow in my uncle's footsteps because I wanted to seek medical help to not rely on pain pills or other forms of substances. It has been a struggle, but I have managed to be without medications (unless prescribed specifically for the day of surgery and immediate recovery) for over one year. I deal with pain daily but have found ways of working through the discomfort without turning to a pharmacy for pills. My hope is to help others realize that they, too, can have a life free of substances and ways to work through any mental or physical pain they may be experiencing. To do this, I chose to go back to school at age 39 to obtain my BA in Psychology and Counseling at Aspen University. Having my degree will help me to help others. Allowing a professional POV and guidance to be there for those who may be struggling or have a feel like they are alone. I never want anyone to feel like they are battling on their own. I have seen what happens when amazing people give up on their dreams, goals, and their life to cave into substance abuse. By accomplishing my degree, and with my personal experience, I know that I will be able to be there for people who are needing some light to shine through on their darker days. Wanting to provide hope and encouragement, showing that there are more ways to an amazing life without the need to fall back on substances in a judgment-free zone is my ultimate dream with my BA in Substance Abuse and Counseling.

The simple pleasures in my life are appreciating who you have in your life and what is in your life. By having gratitude for the simple things, and not worrying about the materialistic items, happiness and joy fill the empty voids that many continue to seek all throughout their lives. Daily, I write ten things that I am thankful for in my life. I appreciate and find happiness in having my daughters, my husband, my mom, faith, new opportunities, nature, and creativity. When focusing on the positives in what I have in my life, I feel much happier and thankful especially when going through life struggles. Spreading joy to others is an important simple pleasure to me. I try my best to let others know how much they are loved and how they matter. Letting people know that they are appreciated, allows them to open their eyes to the love and beauty that surrounds them.

Joy means appreciating who you have in your life and what is in your life. By having gratitude on the simple things, and not worrying about the materialistic items, happiness and joy fill the empty voids that many continue to seek all throughout their lives. Daily, I write ten things that I am thankful for in my life. I appreciate and find happiness in having my daughters, my husband, my mom, faith, new opportunities, nature, and creativity. When focusing on the positives in what I have in my life, I feel much happier and thankful especially when going through life struggles. Spreading joy to others is important to me. I try my best to let others know how much that are loved and how they matter. Letting people know that they are appreciated, spreads more joy and happiness. I want others to know that they, too, can get through struggles and find pure joy.

Something I love about myself is that I do not give up. Battling through trials and tribulations, with anxiety and PTSD, there have been many times that I felt alone. Even when surrounded by others, I felt like they didn’t understand how I was feeling or what ordeals I was dealing with while growing up. I wanted to stop pursuing my dreams because I didn’t believe in myself. Thankfully, I sought professional help and began to learn how to love myself for who I am. I realized that I am worthy of love and can accomplish anything that I put my mind to. With time and having an amazing support group around me, I felt strong enough to go back to school to obtain my BA in Psychology. My goal is to help others to not feel alone while going through their own life struggles. I strive to be supportive of others to know that they are loved, they are seen, and that they matter.