Bec, I have struggled so much with "no using" my counseling degree. But being a counselor only illlustrated the care I was not giving to myself. Being a caretaker (well trained by my mother) I felt lost at first not working with kids. I am working in a totally different field but find myself using the skills that I gained not only in grad school but the personal process I went through and am still going through. It has alot to do with how I frame things for myself. I need to believe that every experience I have had contributes to the work ahead of me: professionally and personally. And I am finding that I can be content with a job even though it doesn't have directly to do with my training. I think someday when I have healed more that I will go back to being a counselor.... I am working hard to see what I do between now and then as preparation for that.... so I will be more available on a variety of levels; esp mentally.

I can't tell you how scary it was to not be employed... but I got through it. And I made things happen for myself despite the doubts and the fear. What a powerful process it has been and will continue to be. I find myself having to make many many tiny decisions throughout the day about what outlook I will have. It's tiring but empowering in a way.

I am thinking of you.