If I could have everyone in the world read just one book, it would be Kurt Vonnegut's 'The Sirens of Titan.' Sometimes a book finds us at the most critical juncture in our lives and changes the perspective of our situation. During a difficult transition in my life, 'The Sirens of Titan' found me at the right time. I was struggling with my mental health, changing jobs, and searching for a new home for my daughters and me—all within a few days. Amidst the unease and uncertainty, Vonnegut's words provided comfort and insight that I am not alone. Vonnegut writes, “If the questions don't make sense, neither will the answers.” I am constantly curious and hate being in the dark especially when it comes to aspects of my life. In this way, the message felt personal. I kept asking myself questions, beginning with what ifs and whys, neither leading me to conclusive answers. It brought on an "AHA!" moment. His story allowed my mind to disappear from stress toward a distant world whilst also elucidating aspects of life that are inevitable and rather than punishments, they should be seen as experiences. The protagonist’s journey reflects our own adult lives, a time when we are expected to be sure about everything. Although at the beginning of the story, he is pretentious, indifferent, and selfish, by the end he is transformed by the trials he must go through. This change is familiar to all of us, and the only constant in our lives. It is a willingness to let go of control and that we are all trying our best with the information we have. The Sirens of Titan is a reminder to embrace life’s difficulties with humor, acknowledging that we are resilient in the face of it all. That is why everyone should read this book. It is a testament that although our purpose is not known to us, we are meant to embrace our humanity.

My parents named me Lisa at birth. They believed the key to immigrants’ success in America was assimilating. That included the name you were given, the clothes you chose, what you spoke, and how you said it. I moved to Los Angeles from El Salvador when I was 3. I concealed that for a long time. I would say I was born in California and leave it at that. I made sure to speak eloquently and became well-read because of it. I innately understood from observations, that adults and even children treated people born in another country differently, as if they weren’t as capable. I grew up in low-income neighborhoods and for a long time, that’s where I felt safe. Stepping outside of that zone meant facing a disparity I knew was there. My clothes were bought second-hand, and most of our things were found with sacrifice. My parents wanted something better for me but I felt hopeless. For a while, I thought I was meant to follow in my parent's footsteps, even if I didn’t want to. It meant living paycheck to paycheck, stressed, and without the prospect of a future. Unfortunately, that has been my life for many years. I became a mother at 20. I am now 27 and have two daughters. After a couple of years of struggling with my mental health, I’m now at a place where I am a devoted mother and have the commitment and drive to see my academic goals through. I want to be a positive role model for my children and show myself I can achieve my dreams with ambition and motivation. I have always loved the academic world. It is a place where I can thrive and feed my curious mind, a component that has been consistent throughout my life. I am currently enrolled at my local community college taking my core classes online. So far, I have a 4.0 GPA and am looking to transfer to Texas Woman’s University next year to finish my BA in psychology. Afterward, I want to continue my studies and receive an MA in counseling psychology. This will help me get closer to getting my license to become an LPC in Texas. I want to work in my community and serve others who struggle with their mental health. I have the empathy and the personal experience to connect with them. I believe this is where my life has been leading me and I am excited to find my purpose and make it a reality. As a full-time mom and student, I am aware it takes effort and sacrifice to see the fruits of our labor. I maintain a balance between family and studies by prioritizing, organizing, and at times, multi-tasking. Although it is sometimes a challenge, I am confident in my abilities. However, when it comes to financial resources, it is something that is out of my control and which is a precarious factor that can determine whether I can be academically successful. Applying for scholarships and receiving financial aid has been a blessing that has carried me this past year. Receiving this scholarship is an implication that I am on the right path and that I’ll have the tools necessary so I have the best chance at advancing in my career goals. In the long run, it will provide a better quality of life that will create a domino effect for my children and the other generations. I am proud to be here and can now see my parents' vision when they first moved to the U.S.

My parents were always big advocates of getting a proper education. They believed it signified freedom and abundance. I was taught from an early age that learning was a privilege that some countries didn’t have. My parents are from El Salvador, my mother lived her childhood and teenage years through the civil war of the 1980s and it generated lasting trauma. One of her biggest philosophies is that there is great power in knowledge and speaking up even when suppressed. My childhood was spent in Los Angeles; in cramped, small apartments in predominantly immigrant neighborhoods. When we visited the wealthier uptown places, I could feel the disparity between my reality as a first-generation student and everyone else. As I grew up, I saw that making a living without a college degree would be impossible, further perpetuating the poverty my parents had been trying to escape from. One of the most challenging obstacles for me is poverty. This issue encompasses many aspects of my daily life. Being part of the lower socioeconomic class leads to fewer opportunities. It also means worrying about keeping afloat and making ends meet. Living day to day makes it difficult to achieve any goals when the only thing you can do is focus on the unpredictability of tomorrow. Schools in poor neighborhoods are underfunded and understaffed, which makes it difficult for students to succeed. Going to college was a feat I wanted to accomplish but once it was time to apply, I was distraught. Despite having good grades, the financial aspect made it difficult to picture ever achieving it without inundating myself with student loans. Additionally, stress and trauma thrive in environments that lack support. Addiction is also a byproduct of poverty. When we grow up in places that make us feel empty, lost, or any negative emotion without a healthy way to cope, we try to turn to something that makes us feel good. When I was previously undiagnosed as bipolar, I coped by drinking excessively. This led to a decay in my lifestyle. It wasn’t until I sought the proper care that I was able to overcome it and heal. Now, I am mindful of my diagnosis and take the medication for it. According to Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, people need more than just enough to survive. To be a self-fulfilled person that lives up to their potential, they need more than the fundamentals. To thrive we need a sense of community and belonging and the freedom to be in control of our lives. Sometimes those things get forgotten or seen as privileges, that people have to work for, although it’s impossible to move up from the first level when most of that energy is spent trying to make ends meet. To me, overcoming adversity starts by healing ourselves first, and then finding the tools and resources to keep us strong enough to continue and succeed. Through personal experience, I know what it’s like to be in the margins and hope that through collaboration and awareness, that margin shrinks. That is why I’ve decided to pursue a degree in mental health services. I want to go to graduate school and receive my M.A. in counseling. Then, I’d like to get my LPC licensure to work in public mental facilities and hospitals and give back to my community. I want to be the help that I had when I was struggling. I believe that my experience with hardships has increased my ability to empathize and understand.

My parents were always big advocates of getting a proper education. They believed it signified freedom and abundance. I was taught from an early age that learning was a privilege that some countries didn’t have. My parents are from El Salvador, my mother lived her childhood and teenage years through the civil war of the 1980s and it generated lasting trauma. One of her biggest philosophies is that there is great power in knowledge and speaking up even when suppressed. My childhood was spent in Los Angeles; in cramped, small apartments in predominantly immigrant neighborhoods. When we visited the wealthier uptown places, I could feel the disparity between my reality as a first-generation student and everyone else. As I grew up, I saw that making a living without a college degree would be impossible, further perpetuating the poverty my parents had been trying to escape from. One of the most challenging obstacles for me is poverty. This issue encompasses many aspects of my daily life. Being part of the lower socioeconomic class leads to fewer opportunities. It also means worrying about keeping afloat and making ends meet. Living day to day makes it difficult to achieve any goals when the only thing you can do is focus on the unpredictability of tomorrow. Schools in poor neighborhoods are underfunded and understaffed, which makes it difficult for students to succeed. Going to college was a feat I wanted to accomplish but once it was time to apply, I was distraught. Despite having good grades, the financial aspect made it difficult to picture ever achieving it without inundating myself in student loans. Additionally, stress and trauma thrive in environments that lack support. Addiction is also a byproduct of poverty. When we grow up in places that make us feel empty, lost, or any negative emotion without a healthy way to cope, we try to turn to something that makes us feel good. When I was previously undiagnosed as bipolar, I coped by drinking excessively. This lead to a decay in my lifeestyle. It wasn’t until I sought the proper and care was I able to overcome it and heal. Now, I am mindful of my diagnosis and take the medication for it. According to Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, people need more than just enough to survive. To be a self-fulfilled person that lives up to their potential, they need more than the fundamentals. To thrive we need a sense of community and belonging and the freedom to be in control of our lives. Sometimes those things get forgotten or seen as privileges, that people have to work for, although it’s impossible to move up from the first level when most of that energy is spent trying to make ends meet. To me, overcoming adversity starts by healing ourselves first, and then finding the tools and resources to keep us strong enough to continue and succeed. Through personal experience, I know what it’s like to be in the margins and hope that through collaboration and awareness, that margin shrinks.

My parents were always big advocates of getting a proper education. They believed it signified freedom and abundance. I was taught from an early age that learning was a privilege that some countries didn’t have. My parents are from El Salvador, my mother lived her childhood and teenage years through the civil war of the 1980s and it generated lasting trauma. One of her biggest philosophies is that there is great power in knowledge. My childhood was spent in Los Angeles; in cramped, small apartments in predominantly immigrant neighborhoods. When we visited the wealthier uptown places, I could feel the disparity between my reality as a first-generation student and everyone else. As I grew up, I saw that making a living without a college degree would be impossible, further perpetuating the poverty my parents had been trying to escape from. I’ve always loved learning and my favorite activity has always been reading. Partly, because even when my surrounding environment was unpleasant, I could escape to other more comfortable ones or discover how many different species of birds there are in the U.S. However, sometimes it was easy to think about giving up. To drop out of school and earn money so we could afford rent and groceries. When there’s much to lose, getting tunnel vision and taking a more digestible route seems easier. The bigger picture ends up getting lost. I used to see my status in America as a first-generation student as something to be ashamed of. I felt lost and overwhelmed when I first tried attending college after high school. I felt anxious searching for guidance because I didn’t know what questions needed asking and the lack of support I received from counselors was discouraging. There was no blueprint that I could follow because I was out of my element. The education I received felt anemic compared to the classes I had to take in college. That struggle led me to abandon that dream and try to find other avenues that could lead me to where I wanted to go but taking shortcuts only prolonged things. After dropping out of college the first time, my mental health rapidly decreased and I spent some time at the hospital. Afterward, I went to counseling and received treatment. However, I didn’t fully believe my diagnosis at the time which was Bipolar Depression. So shortly after, I stopped taking my medication altogether. During that time, I’ve been in different and difficult situations that have altered how I view myself and what I want to get out of life. Recovery has been rough and processing trauma and the truth of my diagnosis has been painful but healing. I view these as lessons that have shaped my perseverance to tackle challenges head-on. I now have two daughters who I love very much. I am back in college and this time, I feel confident and have a greater purpose. I want my children to see that there is always time to pursue what you love even when there are setbacks. I have accepted my diagnosis as Bipolar and do everything that is required to stay healthy. Going back, I am majoring in psychology where afterward I will continue to graduate school and obtain an M.A. in counseling. I want to help others and be the kind of guidance I wish I had when I was struggling. I am committed to healing my community. I want to work in public mental health facilities and hospitals where I feel I would be most useful. I am grateful for this second opportunity and ready for the next step.

My parents were always big advocates of getting a proper education. They believed it signified freedom and abundance. I was taught from an early age that learning was a privilege that some countries didn’t have. My parents are from El Salvador, my mother lived her childhood and teenage years through the civil war of the 1980s and it generated lasting trauma. One of her biggest philosophies is that there is great power in knowledge. My childhood was spent in Los Angeles; in cramped, small apartments in predominantly immigrant neighborhoods. When we visited the wealthier uptown places, I could feel the disparity between my reality as a first-generation student and everyone else. As I grew up, I saw that making a living without a college degree would be impossible, further perpetuating the poverty my parents had been trying to escape from. I’ve always loved learning and my favorite activity has always been reading. Partly, because even when my surrounding environment was unpleasant, I could escape to other more comfortable ones or discover how many different species of birds there are in the U.S. However, sometimes it was easy to think about giving up. To drop out of school and earn money so we could afford rent and groceries. When there’s much to lose, getting tunnel vision and taking a more digestible route seems easier. The bigger picture ends up getting lost. I used to see my status in America as a first-generation student as something to be ashamed of. I felt lost and overwhelmed when I first tried attending college after high school. I felt anxious searching for guidance because I didn’t know what questions needed asking and the lack of support I received from counselors was discouraging. There was no blueprint that I could follow because I was out of my element. The education I received felt anemic compared to the classes I had to take in college. That struggle led me to abandon that dream and try to find other avenues that could lead me to where I wanted to go but taking shortcuts only prolonged things. After dropping out of college the first time, my mental health rapidly decreased and I spent some time at the hospital. Afterward, I went to counseling and received treatment. However, I didn’t fully believe my diagnosis at the time which was Bipolar Depression. So shortly after, I stopped taking my medication altogether. During that time, I’ve been in different and difficult situations that have altered how I view myself and what I want to get out of life. Recovery has been rough and processing trauma and the truth of my diagnosis has been painful but healing. I view these as lessons that have shaped my perseverance to tackle challenges head-on. I now have two daughters whom I love very much. I am back in college and this time, I feel confident and have a greater purpose. I want my children to see that there is always time to pursue what you love even when there are setbacks. I have accepted my diagnosis as Bipolar and do everything that is required to stay healthy. Going back, I am majoring in psychology where afterward I will continue to graduate school and obtain an M.A. in counseling. I want to help others and be the kind of guidance I wish I had when I was struggling. I am committed to healing my community. I want to work in public mental health facilities and hospitals where I feel I would be most useful. I am grateful for this second opportunity and ready for the next step.

My future self has achieved everything I set out to do, building with insight and profound empathy to become self-fulfilled.

My name is Lisa, and I am a first-generation Latinx woman pursuing higher education. I am also a mother of two little girls. Since I am the first to graduate from high school in my family, this is all new to me, and what I know has been through asking questions and learning what I can. I attend my local community college and plan to transfer to TWU. Although there were some roadblocks in my past, I am committed to accomplishing my goals and making a pragmatic impact in my community. Coming from a low-income household has taught me about the plight of people who don't have many options due to economic hardships or any other disadvantage. I grew up in Koreatown, Los Angeles, shaping my view on life. It gave me a real-world perspective on what poverty can do. How detrimental it is, and what the consequences of not having the right resources can lead to. It's not just the allocation of resources, but the correct methods to properly reach those that need the services most. Over the years, I've met many people from all walks of life, and a theme that I observe throughout is their keen resilience to keep surviving despite it all. Sometimes it becomes too much to bear, and unfortunately, tragedies occur. Many that could have been preventable had they had the proper support. I believe there is no such thing as bad people, just bad circumstances. There is a stigma and lack of empathy for those in society who painfully strive to escape their rut but fail to do so. My decision to go into psychology has stemmed from an innate passion to help those in need of mental health services and provide a support system that is oftentimes, absent. I also know first-hand what it's like to feel like there is nowhere to turn to and that every direction is fraught with too many difficulties. I plan to positively impact my community by working directly with them. I want to come from a place of understanding and acknowledgment that without a sturdy foundation, things will naturally be arduous. I plan to work with my local hospitals and public mental health services. As well as offer services to low-income families, children, and immigrants, connecting them with the means to success, instead of just survival. My plan of obtaining my LPC licensure will assure me that I am well-equipped to handle any issues that I may come across. It will allow me to understand the depth of situations and give me confidence so that I can solve to figure out the best course of action for every unique scenario. My long-term vision is that my contribution to my community will provide the help it needs with my particular understanding of where they come from and that things can get better. All in all, I believe I have found my calling, and I am excited to be able to call this my life-long profession. I want to be able to exert a positive change and give the guidance that I, myself, wish I had gotten as a young child. In conclusion, I want to provide support for the bigger picture. Some communities need help and guidance, and I want to be able to provide at least a sliver of healing. As time has progressed, people have become more detached from one another. Our sense of community has been declining as the world handles one crisis after another. I think it is an honorable way to spend a life trying to provide peace in times of disorder.