Addy’s Journey to her Forever Home
I have spent so much of my life aspiring to be what I have learned from others. One thing that stuck with me was being humble. What exactly does the term “humble” mean? When I look to AI the first definition that rises includes, “"Humble" generally describes someone who is not proud or arrogant, acknowledging their own limitations and the contributions of others. It's a state of being modest and respectful, often characterized by a lack of self-importance and a willingness to learn and grow” As I look further the following definition caught my eye, “To cultivate humility, focus on recognizing your limitations, valuing others' perspectives, and practicing gratitude. This means being open to feedback, seeking advice when needed, and celebrating the successes of those around you. Humility is not about having low self-esteem, but rather about acknowledging your strengths and weaknesses and treating others with respect.”
My personal definition that I created based on what others have told me, includes boasting others and ignoring my own wins. Since starting my business I am working on acknowledging that I am proud of whta I am building and continuing to build. Many individuals have helped me on my path and with their help, support and positive modeling my success would not have been feasible. At the same time i want to acknowledge my motivation and willingness to learn from others is also a part of what is makign me successful.
With that background, many people have pointed out something I accomplished that I have worked to put out there, but apparently I tend to ignore. What is that you ask? I wrote a Children’s Book that I self published. This book also won the Mom’s Choice Award. My book is entitled “Addy’s Journey to her Forever Home.” The message, “Addy, a 7-year-old Porcupine, is removed from her home due to neglect. As she moves through foster homes, her spikes grow with each trauma. Finally, she’s placed with parents that are Armadillos. They are tough enough to handle her pain, but soft enough to offer love. Through their care and therapy, Addy begins to heal. This story offers hope, resilience, and belonging to children in the foster and adoption system.”
One of my really good friends illustrated Addy’s Journey. Her help with symbolism formed a partnership that I am very proud of for us both. While one of the most difficult things for me to do is self promotion here I am taking a step in doing just that.
