"When you're thinking about buying something, think about how many hours you had to work for it." My next-door neighbor first shared this with me. For example, at my first job, I would have to work 2 hours to purchase a $20 shirt. This perspective has shaped my spending habits for the better, helping me be more responsible with money. I'm still a work in progress, but this once reckless spender is becoming more mindful with money! As a result of this valuable tidbit, I've been able to start paying off my interest on student loans. Building healthy habits like this one will help me buy a house, save for retirement, and be financially secure in the future! My neighbor is a genius.

"I don’t think I deserve to be alive”- this was a sentiment expressed during one of my first encounters on the Crisis Text Line (CTL). I felt gutted. A homeless woman named Margaret in a hopeless situation; she had been experiencing major depression while suffering from debilitating fibromyalgia for months. She had been pushed aside and lost in a broken health care system that only works for those who can pay. Margaret’s pain left me feeling devastated. Using my crisis management skills from training, including active listening and good contact techniques to validate Margaret’s feelings, I diffused the situation. Calming her down, I provided her with local health care resources that could be helpful to her but in the end, her gratitude was channeled towards something else. After thanking me she said, “I felt heard today.” This sparked a light in me. Through countless conversations with people like Margaret, I realized that I wanted to spend the next 40 years making people feel heard. "You've had over 400 conversations", says the Crisis Text Line data. Upon reflection, that means I've given over 400 referrals to local healthcare resources. Over 400 kind words. Over 400 reminders that this texter is deserving of a peaceful and happy life. I've listened, cried, and empathized with over 400 people during some of their darkest moments. Truthfully, I do not know if I actually helped 400 people. I do know I try my best to provide support, validate experiences, and remind people that they matter. Sometimes I get positive feedback, sometimes I get a sudden disconnected conversation. Although it's often challenging to let it go, my supervisor always reminds me that "all I can do is try". Try to make people feel less alone. Try to make people feel understood. At my core, I believe everyone is deserving of compassion and empathy, regardless of who they are. While CTL certainly has and continues to be an incredibly rewarding experience, I want to have a more direct impact on people’s lives besides referring them to useful resources. The work we do as counselors can be lifesaving at times, but these experiences left me with a hunger to do more. I am constantly surprised at how often I find myself using these same skills almost every single day, with my nursing home residents, peers, and even my friends and family. Consequently, I have decided to focus these talents on a career in medicine, a field centered around people. Through interactions with people like Margaret, I have found my place in this field. My ability to hear and validate others’ experiences has inspired me to pursue a career where I can help others cope and grow as they navigate life’s challenges. Everyone deserves to have their concerns validated and addressed, from the smallest paper cut to broken bones, they all matter. I believe providers that pay close attention to these details ensure that patients walk out of the office feeling hopeful and supported. This results in happier patients that are more likely to comply with treatment plans, attend follow up visits, and take care of their bodies. Additionally, these skills aid in understanding my patients better, allowing me to tailor my help to their individual needs- emotional, mental, and physical. Such personalized care will improve health outcomes and empower people to live their best lives. My experiences have culminated into a dream of becoming a PA, specifically working with underserved populations and communities where my help is needed most. I want to spend my life in a profession where empathy and compassion is my business.

"I don’t think I deserve to be alive”- this was a sentiment expressed during one of my first encounters on the Crisis Text Line (CTL). I felt gutted. A homeless woman named Margaret in a hopeless situation; she had been experiencing major depression while suffering from debilitating fibromyalgia for months. She had been pushed aside and lost in a broken health care system that only works for those who can pay. Margaret’s pain left me feeling devastated. Using my crisis management skills from training, including active listening and good contact techniques to validate Margaret’s feelings, I diffused the situation. Calming her down, I provided her with local health care resources that could be helpful to her but in the end, her gratitude was channeled towards something else. After thanking me she said, “I felt heard today.” This sparked a light in me. Through countless conversations with people like Margaret, I realized that I wanted to spend the next 40 years making people feel heard. "You've had over 400 conversations", says the Crisis Text Line data. Upon reflection, that means I've given over 400 referrals to local healthcare resources. Over 400 kind words. Over 400 reminders that this texter is deserving of a peaceful and happy life. I've listened, cried, and empathized with over 400 people during some of their darkest moments. Truthfully, I do not know if I actually helped 400 people. I do know I try my best to provide support, validate experiences, and remind people that they matter. Sometimes I get positive feedback, sometimes I get a sudden disconnected conversation. Although it's often challenging to let it go, my supervisor always reminds me that "all I can do is try". Try to make people feel less alone. Try to make people feel understood. At my core, I believe everyone is deserving of compassion and empathy, regardless of who they are. While CTL certainly has and continues to be an incredibly rewarding experience, I want to have a more direct impact on people’s lives besides referring them to useful resources. The work we do as counselors can be lifesaving at times, but these experiences left me with a hunger to do more. I am constantly surprised at how often I find myself using these same skills almost every single day, with my nursing home residents, peers, and even my friends and family. Consequently, I have decided to focus these talents on a career in medicine, a field centered around people. Through interactions with people like Margaret, I have found my place in this field. My ability to hear and validate others’ experiences has inspired me to pursue a career where I can help others cope and grow as they navigate life’s challenges. Everyone deserves to have their concerns validated and addressed, from the smallest paper cut to broken bones, they all matter. I believe providers that pay close attention to these details ensure that patients walk out of the office feeling hopeful and supported. This results in happier patients that are more likely to comply with treatment plans, attend follow up visits, and take care of their bodies. Additionally, these skills aid in understanding my patients better, allowing me to tailor my help to their individual needs- emotional, mental, and physical. Such personalized care will improve health outcomes and empower people to live their best lives. My experiences have culminated into a dream of becoming a PA, specifically working with underserved populations and communities where my help is needed most. I want to spend my life in a profession where empathy and compassion is my business.

“I don’t think I deserve to be alive”- this was a sentiment expressed during one of my first encounters on the Crisis Text Line (CTL). I felt gutted. A homeless woman named Margaret in a hopeless situation; she had been experiencing major depression while suffering from debilitating fibromyalgia for months. She had been pushed aside and lost in a broken health care system that only works for those who can pay. Margaret’s pain left me feeling devastated. Using my crisis management skills from training, including active listening and good contact techniques to validate Margaret’s feelings, I diffused the situation. Calming her down, I provided her with local health care resources that could be helpful to her but in the end, her gratitude was channeled towards something else. After thanking me she said, “I felt heard today.” This sparked a light in me. Through countless conversations with people like Margaret, I realized that I wanted to spend the next 40 years making people feel heard. "You've had over 400 conversations", says the Crisis Text Line data. Upon reflection, that means I've given over 400 referrals to local healthcare resources. Over 400 kind words. Over 400 reminders that this texter is deserving of a peaceful and happy life. I've listened, cried, and empathized with over 400 people during some of their darkest moments. Truthfully, I do not know if I actually helped 400 people. I do know I try my best to provide support, validate experiences, and remind people that they matter. Sometimes I get positive feedback, sometimes I get a sudden disconnected conversation. Although it's often challenging to let it go, my supervisor always reminds me that "all I can do is try". Try to make people feel less alone. Try to make people feel understood. At my core, I believe everyone is deserving of compassion and empathy, regardless of who they are. While CTL certainly has and continues to be an incredibly rewarding experience, I want to have a more direct impact on people’s lives besides referring them to useful resources. The work we do as counselors can be lifesaving at times, but these experiences left me with a hunger to do more. I am constantly surprised at how often I find myself using these same skills almost every single day, with my nursing home residents, peers, and even my friends and family. Consequently, I have decided to focus these talents on a career in medicine, a field centered around people. Through interactions with people like Margaret, I have found my place in this field. My ability to hear and validate others’ experiences has inspired me to pursue a career where I can help others cope and grow as they navigate life’s challenges. Everyone deserves to have their concerns validated and addressed, from the smallest paper cut to broken bones, they all matter. I believe providers that pay close attention to these details ensure that patients walk out of the office feeling hopeful and supported. This results in happier patients that are more likely to comply with treatment plans, attend follow up visits, and take care of their bodies. Additionally, these skills aid in understanding my patients better, allowing me to tailor my help to their individual needs- emotional, mental, and physical. Such personalized care will improve health outcomes and empower people to live their best lives. My experiences have culminated into a dream of becoming a PA, specifically working with underserved populations and communities where my help is needed most. I want to spend my life in a profession where empathy and compassion is my business.