Better Because of You ...

As a counselor/therapist/life coach, I am very aware of how the most challenging, heartbreaking and traumatic events have literally changed who people are at the core of their being!  No doubt about it, adversity shapes us. However … it has become equally clear to me that people are also forever changed for the better by engaging with people who have played an important part in who we have become and/or who we would ultimately like to become … sometimes in inconspicuous ways that we often step over and fail to acknowledge.

As schmaltzy as it sounds, I’ve always been inspired to somehow make a difference in the world.  That is why I became a counselor. Naively, I thought I had to some academic letters behind my name in order to do that.  In a moment of insight, though, it occurred to me that maybe it is not the letters behind my name that will ultimately help me brighten my corner of the world, but perhaps, it will be the letters signed with my name … honoring others who have made a difference in my life!  Some of them probably have no idea …

So, it is from that spirit that I have committed myself to express my appreciation by privately acknowledging the people who have influenced who I have become … (in e-mails, letters and cards). And not just for the big, obvious kinds of support.  I think we often gloss over precious moments in time (a comment, a smile, a warm touch, a loving glance at a critical moment)  which may have seemed ordinary at the time, but actually claimed significant space in our hearts and touched us deeply.

In addition to my private exchanges, I have created this Better Because of You forum because it seems to me that the negative aspects in life are highly over-represented in the media … even sensationalized.  It can even seem like there is nothing good happening in the world … but there is!  We just don’t spend as much time talking about it.  I really hope this blog will bring some light and love and laughter to those who might enjoy marinating in the energy of gratitude found here.

If you are inspired to join me, please feel free to submit your own thoughts regarding those who have helped ‘to make you what you are today’ and I will gladly post it to the site.

As the old Chinese Proverb states: “It’s better to light a candle than to curse the darkness.”

With Warmest Gratitude,
Karen