Taking the Plunge!

It was nearly one year ago that I embarked on a professional journey the impact of which I never could have anticipated.  In April my friend and colleague suggested we both apply for the Leadership Development Program through ASHA.  At the time I wasn't sure what it was all about, but thought, "Hey, why not?"  I completed the application process, not thinking anything would come of it.  Surprise, surprise, I was accepted and in July 2013 I set out to Long Beach, CA for a whirlwind adventure.  What started out as a whim has become the single most important thing I could have done to jumpstart my career.  You see, I just finished my 30th year as a speech-language pathologist and  was beginning to feel the rumblings of burnout. I felt I had reached the apex, there was nothing I could do in my place of employment, things were stagnant.  Then came California and meeting amazing, vital, young, energetic and talented SLPs.  Over the course of the year we met virtually, worked on our projects, learned, commiserated and developed lifelong friendships.  To say it was a joy would be an understatement.

I have been blessed with many talents, professional and personal and now I have the confidence to use them.  What I learned is that in order to grow I don't need to be confined to the walls of my employment.  What I have learned is that I don't need an army of people to accomplish great things; I don't need the planets to be in alignment to tackle a task; I don't need permission to to do what I do well!  I know that God gave me that opportunity to recognize my own value, strengths and weaknesses.

Soooooo, while in CA we were given a journal the cover of which contained a quote from Eleanor Roosevelt; "Do one thing everyday that scares you."  In the past year I have tackled many, many things that scare me.  One of the things I had wanted to do, but was too scared to undertake, was a blog.  "Who would want to read MY thoughts," my inner naysayer ranted.  "Do one thing everyday that scares you."  This scares me, so I"M DOING IT!!!

This blog will be a place for me to share the everyday scary stuff; SLP, Mom, wife, friend, believer, sister, etc.  I hope to share my professional experiences, but also my wisdom as a fifty-something year old SLP who isn't all SLP all the time.  I hope if you follow that you can relate to my words and if not that at the very least you find my words entertaining.  Please comment, I have so enjoyed the connections I have made in this giant virtual world!!

Blessings,
Annie