Saying Good-Bye, Living One of My Five Best Lives
~ By Jasmine Rose
June 1st will be my last day at The Prevention Researcher. After 4 years and 8 plus months I have submitted my resignation. I would like to say to my team, readers, clients and teens that I have known and loved over the years that it has been an honor pursuing the mission of “Successful adolescent development, one issue at a time.”
With this decision, I see doors opening and widening, but I also feel a real sense of loss. I think back on my previous blog post about Ming and Bella, The Dougy Center’s Bill of Rights for Grieving Teens, and my own personal life journey. While I know the cycles and stages of grieving, and I know I’m on the right path, I am still amazed by the waves of emotions I am going through.
The first day I was introduced to The Prevention Researcher, I met Colette Kimball, our Associate Editor. She helped introduce me to a wide variety of content. The first issue that caught my attention was the issue on Suicide Prevention. I fell in love with the idea that there are people out there, living and caring about adolescent issues. As I grew into my role here, I’ve learned so much about the evolution of adolescent development from topics on drug use and brain development, adolescent sexual attitudes and behaviors, and understanding the needs of newcomer immigrant youth and families to name a few.
Among honing my own contributing editorial skills I took a class developed by The Dede Henley Group, a powerful women’s leadership class that taught me about trusting my instincts, developing a community of trust, staying true to my best self, and writing and living my five best lives. This required us to imagine being anyone, any creature; the sky is the limit. My lives included:
- Living in a 3rd world country and helping children find hope in despair.
- Being a dog; having their sense of smell, adventure, barking, playing & being part of a pack.
- Living here when Native Americans existed as the dominant culture; understanding the cycle of life; using & reusing everything.
- Being a mom; full time.
- Writing and publishing my story. Finishing my MSW & privately counseling & coaching other girls/women.
I’ve gotten to that place in my life where I need to take the time to live one of those lives as I finish my MSW at the University of Southern California. Thank you to all who have been with me along this journey.
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May 22nd, 2011 at 11:17 am
Jasmine,
I loved reading about the influence the Women Leading Women course has had for good in your life! I am privileged to have met you there!
I hope you’ve told Dede!!
JT