Courtnay Veazey

I mentioned in an earlier post that one of my life roles is a ballerina. I love ballet. It is my heart, passion, de-stressor, and avenue of worship. Now, you may wonder, how does ballet relate to counseling? I've reflected on that question several times in the process of creating my professional identity. Here are some of my personal reflections.

I had a free week between the end of my semester and the start of summer school, so I decided to visit my parents in Memphis for a few days. Unfortunately, while in town, my poor 2000 Chevy Impala had to undergo $1,100 worth of surgery. It turns out my car suffered from a water leak and needed a new water tank, an intake valve, and several other random things with functions I honestly don't know.

Before I began my graduate program, I had several friends tell me that it will be challenging and stressful but the growth it produces in you is invaluable. I completely agree with their sentiments. While it is hard to verbalize personal growth, here's my attempt at sharing with you what I have learned this past year. Lesson #1: Remember all of your life roles. I am more than a counselor-in-training and graduate student. I am a wife, daughter, sister, and friend. I am also a ballerina, Christian, book worm, amateur photographer, and arts advocate. The "counselor-in-training and graduate student" roles are important, but not so important, that they cause me to neglect other fulfilling life roles.

Several professors in my graduate program recommend that students participate in therapy if they want to become excellent therapists. For the longest time, I nodded my head, smiled, and thought, "That's a good idea. Maybe one day I'll call and make an appointment." That one day turned into a year. When considering beginning my own therapeutic journey, the following thoughts danced in my head: My life is "normal." Why do I need therapy? What will I talk about for an hour every week? What will other people think if I told them I'm in therapy? What if I don't connect with my therapist? What if I learn something about myself that I don't like? How can I professionally advocate for a field that I haven't personally used?

One of the things that I do for myself to maintain my sanity, which is questionable some days, is read a daily devotional and Bible passage every morning. The other morning I came across a really interesting story in 1 Kings 19:1-13. Here’s a brief synopsis: Elijah’s running away because Jezebel’s threatening to kill him. In the process, Elijah tells God, “I have had enough, Lord.” God replies to him in a gentle whisper and says, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”