I am an only child and yet I have never felt lonely. In fact I cherish peace! Chaos, a lot of noise and “chatter” I find way to much at times. I think that mostly comes from being an only child. I had to amuse myself a LOT. I am quite happy, for example now, sitting on my porch, listening to the rain, and writing.
I really never thought of myself as a writer. This was NOT something I really ever dreamed of doing. Frankly I had to do a considerable amount in college and it never thrilled me. I put it off until the very last-minute. I actually told myself that I worked better under pressure. Not certain WHY I told myself that, who was I kidding?!!!!
About eight years ago I had an encounter with a young Marine who had some serious PTSD. That story, in entirety, is for another post, but that night I was set on a course. I so wanted to help that young man and his family. He was a brand new father and had so much going for him! He was what led me to get my under graduate degree in psychology.
I am not certain what has happened to him in the years since. I know that I was able to get him the help he needed, by the grace of God. I saw him and his family a couple of years after that & they were doing great so that was all the confirmation I needed.
I loved being in my psychology courses but really had no idea what I was going to do with the degree. At that point in time I just knew I wanted to get that specific degree. I figured it would get me a better job or a job where it would be helpful at some point.
It occurred to me about three years ago that I might be able to make something out of my psychology degree and my comfort with being alone with myself. I started a blog back then. It was a failure.
The timing was not right for so very many reasons.
The idea never really left me though. It actually started to take on shape. There were things about my life that started to occur to me.
Though I have never served in the military myself I had been around it my entire life. Still am in many ways. That was how I knew where to at least start to get that young man some help the very next day.
The reason that I was not in the military was because I am missing my left hand. It is NOT a handicap to me. It has never stopped me from doing anything I set my mind to hard enough. (Ok yes, the military told me no, but that was NOT because of lack of effort on my part)
An idea started to take shape in my head. I like people. I really like helping people. I encourage people most days in my day job. I know a little about the military. I know about missing an appendage. Maybe I could put all that together and see what came out of it?
Coaching, and personal coaching, is very general. FAR to general and even I knew that. I had to find a “niche” with what I knew. So here is my brain child born out of that.
I have not completely fine tuned this all yet. It is still far to broad and chaotic. I want to bring it all together to a place I can be, if not completely thrilled, than at least satisfied with my work.
I believe that God is working in and through me to refine this process. He is leading me to books to read, people to speak with, and putting me in situations I do not like for a reason. He is giving me encouragement and validation in my dream, that I am at least on the correct track.
My end goal is to coaching wounded veterans. NOT to replace any of the professional people they work with for mental health or for physical therapy. I want to fill the void if you will.
I want to show and encourage them that they are not their missing or damaged parts. The parts that count are their brains, their heart and soul. These are the things that make us who we authentically are. I want to show them that just because they are missing appendages that they are no less a man or woman, mom, dad, wife or husband. They have people who deeply love them!
I don’t presume to know the horrors that they went through. I have heard enough stories to know a small bit and I can certainly hold their hands and encourage them that they will get through but that is all that I can do in that arena.
So this is how I have taken the steps on my journey to put together a degree I never knew why I got, a thought of writing I never thought I’d get the hang of, a handicap that isn’t one and loving my own company and lack of chaos in life.
Until next time.
Peace and blessings,
Ann
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