Sometimes I look back on a very successful (thus far) career path, with a slightly more bumpy family history, and the jumbled disaster that makes me a truly mental and emotional wreck, and I wonder how I could have made things different. I'm not saying I necessarily would have or regret the way things are, but I do torture myself with the "if this then that" game on a daily basis.
If I would have done all my homework in elementary school, would the rest of my school years have been easier for me? Would I have done better in my high school subjects, had more discipline and gone to a better college? Would I have finished college? Then I fast forward to where I am, and evaluate whether or not I would have chosen a different career. I don't think I would have, but I did not find this one on purpose. Therefore I suppose I should be thankful I didn't do all my homework in elementary school... a split second in my crazy head!
Then there are those "falling down" moments when I have something burning in my gut and I really want to say it... something piercing but life changing. There are things that remain unsaid that just get brushed under the un-medicated psychosis of a rug in my brain, continuing to feed the fire. I call it a test of emotional will. A more serious game of mind over matter than just fighting off a cold. I know if I would have just said the words, the temporary stress and pain would be overcome by long term relief. Martyr syndrome.
How long does it take before you can really say a person affected your life? Does it take one year, one decade, or just one hour? A few months ago I walked into the office of Suzette DeJarnette and in her first sentence I was affected. "Hello, I am Sharon Vaughn. How are you today?" I asked this question in my usual first-meeting, sales-girl voice. As she was to counsel me on my deepest thoughts and issues I naturally assumed the enthusiasm of her response would reflect all the happiness she wanted me to find following our time together. "I'm medium today," Suzette replied honestly and instantly informed me of her credibility. Though I enjoyed her honesty I also I admit to being nervous. In my new-found pursuit for authenticity, I feared I would not have the luxury of filtering myself to gain a favorable judgement from her. But it (and she) was all just what I needed. Our hours together were short and memorable. She was an original feminist, a straight shoote...