I am you. I am your sister, neighbor, friend or mom. In short I am an ordinary everyday woman you’d meet on any day of the week. I don’t have the directions to the fountain of youth (I can’t even read maps), nor do I have any idea what trick will make you lose 20 pounds or become a millionaire overnight.

What I do have is the propensity to really listen to and learn from others. I have spent my life paying attention to others; their situations, responses/reactions and outcomes. This started at a very young age as I am the youngest of 4 girls, (the closest in age being 6 ½ years older) so I had the advantage of no one noticing me when things got “interesting”. And – for better or sometimes worse -I share the feeling, intuitive characteristics of empath personalities.

I’ve set goals and achieved the ones that truly mattered. I’ve partnered with a wonderful man who is my best friend and we’re raising 2 incredible humans – one grown and flown, and one fluffing her feathers for the journey out of the nest.

I’ve traveled as often as possible and set out on lots of adventures. Along the way I picked up a degree in psychology from UW Madison, where I spent most of my senior year working on a well-received research project involving toddlers. I’ve given talks, taught classes and volunteered 100’s of hours with kids and my community. While at UW I also grabbed a political science degree which honestly gave me such an incredible opportunity to understand philosophy and how to tackle a question from multiple angles.

All of this, along with seriously top notch guardian angels and much unearned privilege (let’s be honest) has allowed me to take those lessons and cultivate a life of joy and happiness.

Not a life of fame, riches, or even perfect front porch decor. And certainly not one without pain and loss. But a life where I can always find the good, see the joy and live in the sweetness of sincere gratitude.