Dear Friends/Colleagues,

One of my 2023 goals was to spend more time reflecting and celebrating. I often use reflection as a tool for self-improvement and personal growth. But self-reflection is also great resilience-building tool. Reflecting on your progress and things you have overcome builds confidence, courage, and mental strength.

If you are a recovering people-pleaser and passionate about your work, like me, you often times do not stop to smell the roses and celebrate your own efforts. For most of my life I have believed that celebration is the opposite of humility and is arrogant. I acknowledge that this is a lie that stems from my own past traumas. We all have dealt with life struggles and if your are reading this, you are surviving them or have survived them! I am proud of you! I am also proud of me!

To honor May, Mental Health Awareness Month, I have dedicated this newsletter to reflect AND CELEBRATE the work of TI Institute from the past few months. I hope it inspires you to get more involved, work with us, become a Certified Trauma-Informed Advocate, and move toward a life of wellness.

With gratitude,

Vernisha Crawford