A Curious Beginning: The Search for Identity
A Curious Beginning: The Search for IdentityWe all have unique life stories. I was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, adopted at six weeks old, and raised in a loving family. I learned of my adoption at 4 and a half, when my sister arrived. Adoption, however, created a lingering sense of not knowing where I truly came from or who I was beyond the family who raised me. This feeling led to a deep curiosity about life, identity, and the universe from a young age. Growing up, I often felt different from others around me, like I was an outsider trying to find my place in the world.
The Drive to Understand Life’s Mysteries
My early life was filled with questions about my identity and purpose, initiated through my adoption. I sought answers in books, exploring everything from metaphysics to spirituality, and diving into subjects like ancient philosophy and quantum physics. I was drawn to the mysteries of existence, wanting to understand the deeper connections between the mind, body, and spirit. This curiosity often set me apart, but it also fueled a desire to find my own truth. My inner life was rich with exploration as well, though checking in with trusted others revealed a longing for being accepted and understood.
Profound Experiences That Sparked Deeper Exploration
I had a few unique experiences in my youth that pushed me further on this path. For example, during my teenage years, I had a profound out-of-body experience that left me questioning the nature of reality and consciousness. This experience was both disorienting and enlightening, opening up a realm of possibilities about the nature of existence that I hadn’t considered before. It was a turning point that led me to explore meditation, metaphysical teachings, and alternative philosophies in business, education and religion.
Facing Challenges and Embracing Difference
Despite these inner explorations, I faced challenges. I struggled with feelings of not belonging, unsure of where I fit in. Yet, these very feelings were what drove me to search deeper, to explore not just the world around me but also the world within. In college again, over a decade since dropping out of the pre-Med program I began initially, I continued my quest for understanding, studying organizational development and psychology, and finding ways to apply these concepts to my own life and positions I held.
Transforming Challenges into a Unique Calling
Over time, I began to see my unique path as a gift rather than a burden. I began to write extensively, hosted a TV show, and got involved with peace, justice, environmental and metaphysical causes. I realized that my experiences were shaping me to become a bridge between worlds—a connector of dots between science and spirituality, logic and intuition. I embraced my calling to help others navigate their own journeys, just as I was navigating mine. After decades in various industries and accomplishments in each, I became a transformational life coach, bridging the inner and outer realities with a holistic practice.
Becoming a Bridge Between Worlds
My early challenges—being adopted, feeling different, and searching for my true identity—were not obstacles but rather essential parts of my journey. They led me to become a facilitator, a guide, and a teacher, sharing my discoveries with others who are also seeking a deeper understanding of themselves and the universe. Through these experiences, I learned that the greatest challenges can lead to the most profound growth, and it is this understanding that guides my work today. This is what sets me apart and imbues my coaching practice with unique and valuable experience, insight and wisdom. Need an ear?