When I was 18 months old I tagged along with my mom who was a preschool teacher at a sweet little school. I knew from the very beginning that was the environment for me! I loved the personal challenges and lessons taught in a school environment. I loved school! (I still do! I’m always attending classes and workshops, and consider life to be a great giant school of learning.) I attended preschool off and on until the age of five. At five it was time to start kindergarten. It could have been good. It should have been good. Lamentably, it wasn’t. Going in I had a hunch it would be disappointing. My concerns were confirmed when I met our teacher. I overheard adults say she had a drinking problem so there’s a good chance that she hated herself and kids. She wrote in my permanent record that I wasn’t very bright, but I was sweet. Yes, I am sweet but c’mon, honestly how would she know how smart I am?
First and second grade weren’t much better. I wanted to excel but there wasn’t a space for creative, bright kids like me. All of the students had to sit in seats for one- two hours at a time and listen to the teacher talk endlessly. Thankfully, we had art once in a while. I did enjoy English and creative writing with the special literature boxes and creative assignments. Every now and then we had music, and choir. Those classes mattered and were important to me. They lifted my spirit and opened my mind and heart. They gave me reasons to continue living. I could feel that some of the other kids felt the same way. What was missing was beauty. I mourned the absence of beauty. There wasn't anything pretty for us, not in conversation, nor before us to see. Rarely was there anything interesting to do. We were expected to sit and not speak. But, I’m a big talker. My fellow talkers and I needed a talking outlet. I had little hope that third grade would be any better.
To my surprise, third grade was terrific thanks to the wonderful Mrs. Moore! I talked a lot in class, and she rarely said anything about it, instead she gave me speaking assignments so I could speak in front of the class! I was happy spending time researching what would go in the reports, and making the drawings and graphs. Afterward, was the glorious final part of the assignments! Speaking! I felt that I was a mini expert on the subjects and for the first time in school, I was given freedom to talk as much as I wanted.
Mrs. Moore believed in me and saw me as the kind, smart, weird, artistic kid that I was and treated me as a special person by talking with me, listening to me, and caring about me. She looked me in the eyes when she spoke to me and gave me time to reflect and respond. She gave me extra work to do and worked tirelessly to have me tested for the gifted program. After I was accepted, every week the other kids in the gifted program and I worked on creative projects and even wrote a play. Mrs. Moore planted seeds of hope, self-love and possibility in me.
Unfortunately, because of a challenging home life, by the time I entered college I was afraid of speaking. I was afraid of being noticed. I just wanted to hide and be invisible so as to not draw attention to myself. I learned not to shine, I lost my voice and the sense of who I was. However, I come from a long line of survivors each generation going further than the one before. Following a path of healing and personal evolution with a variety of excellent therapists, and attending support groups that addressed issues of growing up in a home with violence, aggression and addiction I learned to listen to myself and my needs. This work was essential so that I could make choices that benefitted me and allowed me to be kind to myself and others. At the age of twenty-four I quit smoking and that shifted the direction of my life.
Life is extraordinary! With this ability to take actions on my behalf synchronistic events permeated my life. A couple of years ago, I met Lisa, another influential teacher. (She created and has been teaching Pretty Funny Women for decades.) With weekly open mics and classwork I once again stood on a stage and spoke in front of others. The class final was a show, on a large stage, in front of the friends and family of all the students. I stood up, took up space and was completely visible. It felt great to hear the laughter in the audience, and a highlight was having brought beauty into the evening with my attitude, dress and love for myself and others. Mrs. Moore’s love and attention stays with me to this day and I can feel her always cheering me on.

I’ve been a second grade teacher, art teacher, substitute teacher, spirituality teacher (I facilitate classes and workshops to assist women in their spiritual journeys.), volunteer spiritual care advisor (In a hospital Spiritual Care Department I visited patients, met their spiritual needs, and used healing hands and energy work to help the patients.), swim coach, content writer ( I worked for an online spirituality company and wrote articles, classes and met with students.) artist and spiritual seeker. I have performed weddings as an officiant. I love learning, and evolving. Learning helps me evolve, and love myself more as I am. Learning how to be a better human allows me to have rich and meaningful connections with others. Learning keeps my mind and heart open and flexible. Listening to people share that which they’re passionate about is fantastic. It feels good in my bones. I’m curious about many things and love the process of learning and getting an actual answer.
I love the challenge of learning something new. The beginning of the process might be a little stressful and it’s usually not too much fun for me as I’m very impatient. But sticking with it and finally getting it, feels great!

I have an AA in business, and earned my BFA in Art and have continued my education with a profusion of classes and programs. I’ve studied energy healing, various healing modalities and massage at The Touch Therapy Institute in Encino. I’m currently practicing as a Reiki Master and Body Listener (A restorative experience unique to each client. Clients experience transformation, stress-reduction, and a clarity of focus. Clients reignite the willingness and ability to take needed actions to live their best life.)and teach a monthly spirituality class to women.

My professional achievements have created a web of learning and evolving that has awakened the realization of my own Rightness and the extent of its devastating effects on my own life as well as on those around me. Working with clients and students in deep and personal ways has opened my heart and allowed me to be of kind service and minimize my own Rightness and soften conversations based in Rightness.

I’m finishing up my first book on healing from Rightness and the power of love. Through nurture and nature I had developed a strong compulsion to be Right no matter what. I would lie and manipulate others. This hurt many people. Thankfully I was willing to see this behavior and with the help of a variety of therapists, support groups, precious friends and dear family members I created a spiritual road through which I walk on life’s journey.

I’m sharing my healing journey because I want to share what I have learned. Living without Rightness is freedom to live creatively, in cooperation with others and have a better quality of life. I’m passionate about healing from Rightness, as I have discovered that having compassion and kindness for the self and for others is the most important ingredient in living fully.