My blog is called Home Stories A to Z, and today I want to tell you a story. Many of you don’t know this about me, but I led a completely different life up until four years ago. Decorating, DIY’ing, and making things beautiful has always been a hobby of mine, but it was never one of my career goals. In college, I knew that I was passionate about marriage, family, and relationships, so I majored in Psychology. I was smart and tenacious and poured myself into my studies and graduated magna cum laude. Right after graduating with my B.A., I went on to graduate school and after 60 credits of hard work completed my Masters in Counseling graduating summa cum laude. I thoroughly enjoyed being a student and plan on being a life-long learner!
During graduate school and the two years following, I worked as an in-home family counselor with at-risk youth and their families. I helped families make changes in their lives that improved relationships and kept the family unit together. I taught coping, communication, and conflict resolution skills and helped families change maladaptive behavior patterns. I spent an average of ten to fifteen hours weekly on each family’s case which enabled me to develop trusting relationships with all members of the family. The job was indeed intense yet very rewarding! To be a change agent for families and to see relationships begin to heal is priceless.
After getting married and making a move to a new state, I decided to go back to school to receive my Masters in School Counseling and became a certified elementary school counselor. This was such a good decision. I LOVED my job! The elementary years are foundational for building attitudes and skills required for future success, and I wanted to be a part of it! I worked for eight years as an elementary school counselor and helped students face the diverse challenges, both personally and developmentally, that impact learning. I counseled children individually and in small groups, taught parenting classes, and coordinated our child study team. After having my own children, I craved the opportunity to stay at home and apply my knowledge of child development in a new way. Through many tears and long-talks with my husband, I quit my job, we moved to a new city, and I started this blog to document my “new life”.
Now I work full-time on something that started out as a hobby-blog and has turned into a beloved business. I love blogging and how it allows me to use my passion for decorating with my passion for people and relationships! Blogging allows me to give back to society in a completely different way than my life as a counselor and yet I use my counseling skills daily. My education is a vital part of my skill set and has helped prepare me to be successful in life!
In the video below, Retired Medtronic CEO Bill George encourages us to develop daily practices that make time for introspection. Whether we do this through journaling, prayer, meditation, or another introspective discipline, we will become more productive in our professional and personal lives when we carve out the time to be still. I’ll leave you with this excellent quote from the video:
“All of us in our lives, need to have habits….to become truly centered people, that can lead from our hearts and know who we are. We can only do that if we have some form of practice… It’s essential that you have some form of introspection…” -Bill George
Bill George on Meditation. You can find more inspiring videos like this one at the Capella Inspires YouTube Channel.
Following our dreams often changes as we do! If you find that your dream requires more education, consider Capella University, an online accredited university. Capella University is a rigorous and supportive learning community that transforms your education into work that makes a difference in the lives of others. At Capella, you will develop the knowledge to help others reach their potential. Your degree will change more lives than just your own. To hear examples of the great work their alumni have been doing, visit their graduate stories page. Or see what their community has to say by going to the Capella University Facebook page.
Also, check out the Capella page on BlogHer.com for more inspirational blogger career successes stories and for a chance to contribute to a good cause!
Beth,
Thanks for sharing your story. I think it is so interesting to hear what blog writer’s former careers were before they started writing and what brought them to writing. My journey is very similar. I had a career in Early Childhood Education Management and my husband was transferred to a new city. We decided that given the opportunity I would stay home with my toddler son, as he had been at my daycare for long hours. I started blogging as a creative outlet and a way to have connections with others. I have found blogging so helpful while transitioning from a full time working mom to a stay at home mom and I’ve made a lot of great friends as well. Thanks again, Lesley
Wow Beth! I am in awe of you 🙂 My BF is in the same line of work & I can’t even imagine how fulfilling, yet emotionally exhausting it was for you. What a blessing to be able to help families & make a difference. I think it’s GREAT that you have put your career on hold in order to bless your own family now. Your career will always be there, your boys won’t. I still can’t believe my oldest is in college!!
Thanks for sharing your story Beth. Thanks also for sharing Bill Robert’s quote and video link. I agree that education and daily introspection practices steer you to your path, and doing so from the “Heart” is how you find your true passion.
Thanks for sharing your story. It’s great to hear how God brings all of us to different places through various circumstances to be exactly where He wants us to be. I loved your quote in this post… it really is all about loving others and helping God heal and redeem His world. I stayed at home before my kids entered school, and I’d do it all over again. Hugs to you and your sweet kids.
I am a retired elementary school teacher. I would not have been able to do my job effectively without the help of our counselors. I enjoyed reading your story, Beth. I’m attending Haven and I’m excited about hearing you speak.
I knew you were a counselor but didn’t know all the details. That is amazing! I am sure it has helped you as a mother as well. That was so fun to read 🙂
Thanks for sharing your story Beth! It was really interesting, i always love reading about how people started their blogs and what they did before.