Something you have learned about me from my Beyond Midwifery page is that I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. My faith and the religious tenets of the Gospel of Jesus Christ fuel me. I am in every way a believing Latter-Day Saint. I share this to tell you of the very most sincere pleadings of my soul. I have touched lightly upon what a struggle it has been to be in midwifery school. Much of the struggle comes from challenges in my daily life which I must balance with the demands placed upon my shoulders to carry the weight of the academic load I have borne, the demands of clinical placement, the errands and chores of motherhood, the personal wrestle with imperfection and sometimes discouragement, and the darkness caused by PTSD in our life. You also learned in my Beyond Midwifery page that I am the proud wife of a U.S. Air Force veteran. Today is PTSD Awareness Day in our country but everyday is PTSD awareness in our home. I pray that all who face challenges may find a personal conviction in the power of Hope. Whether you Hope in an eternal Divine Creator or for a better tomorrow, never lose Hope.
The story of two PTSD warriors have given me a glimmer of Hope specifically for my family. You can see hear their story here:
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I am inspired by great athletes. I am also a wanna be competitive swimmer. I would love to spend many hours meditating to the sound of my own swimming strokes. This speaks to me, it speaks to me as a student and future midwife. It is what you do when no one is there to push you, to assist you, to encourage you or to give you kudos that will make you who you are.
Finding a way to wade through the swamp of discouragement led me to the development of my playlist of motivation music. I have also developed a love of motivational speeches from trainers meant for athletics. Many may find my choices odd but it works for me. I recommend playing them with headphones and singing along at the top of your lungs. That is what I do! My list on YouTube can be found here: Motivation Playlist
My first post is my advice about how to make it through midwifery school. Probably more appropriately, "How I have survived all of my stress while in midwifery school."
First and foremost, I must send a shoutout to Heather Fangman of the Student Support Services at Midwives College of Utah. Heather has been my academic coach for the past two years. We have met weekly year-round to discuss my progress, brainstorm my challenges and for a intensely vital counseling session. I have valued this more than any other service from MCU. Heather has been my closet friend, my cheerleader, and my most sacred confidant. The next saving grace has been the Student Support Facebook Group and the Sister Circle of fellow students in Southern California. I did not use the Sister Circle offerings my first year at MCU but the women in my circle are so close now. We have supported one another through sadness, fear, frustration, joy, celebration, and triumph. My last saving grace was the use of my journal. I've been a journal writer for years. I'm not consistent but when I need to process something I turn to my journal. I have written many, many pages on this journey to becoming a midwife. Some were so deep and powerful I stopped mid-sentence to ponder the words that would not come and in the process fell asleep to dream my way through the thoughts. I may add a journal entry or two here in my Musings for others to read. For now I'd like to leave you with a thought to write in your own journal or diary today. What resources or coping skills can you draw upon when the going gets tough? Whether you are chasing your dream or working on your passions life can be downright hard when you care deeply about the outcome. Find a supportive network, a trusted ally and a space to share your deep thoughts. It will do wonders. |
Why MusingsThe page I have called Musings is a blog of sorts. I invite you to read my Home page to learn the reasons I had for creating this ePortfolio and how it all started. In it you will find that this ePortfolio began as a learning tool for future students at the Midwives College of Utah. The ePortfolio will become a requirement beginning in the Fall 2016 semester. I also recommend it for former students still finishing their studies and looking for a way to develop their future practice's website, share with potential clients or potential preceptors, and as a very in depth resume of sorts. I invite you to read my musings during the creation of this ePortfolio in the hope that it may strengthen your devotion to your studies, build your determination to answer your call, and be encouraged by the sharing of my musings as I complete this task. Archives
October 2016
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