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From: Emily Igl
Date: 21 Oct 2010
Time: 12:43:47 -0500
Remote Name: 143.236.34.55
Thank you so very much for your article, the words and message resonated with me. I question whether it is actually possible to fully express my sincere appreciation for your words of insight, guidance and encouragement. A few years ago, I asked your very question of ‘who I was.’ My, how I wish I could go back in time with a copy of your article! While I was not in the same situation concerning stuttering, I was grappling with my career choice, and whether “me” and my job adequately reflected each other. It was easy for me to see my personal values conflicted with my career. The real challenge I faced was figuring who I was before I could start contemplating what other career would match me. Who was “I”? The eternal self-doubter began defining myself based on what I wasn’t. I was fixated on what ‘I can’t do’ or ‘what I struggle with.’ Your emphasis on recognizing our strengths and not our challenges took me quite honestly years to reach. Could I have comfortably stayed at my former career and coasted through each day? Yes, but were my negative clouded beliefs dictating my static placement in my job? Was I living the right path in my life? Recognizing it is my choice on how I perceive myself turned my attention to what my strengths are. Connecting how we view ourselves and how that impression guides other people’s view of us shifts the power. Your words in describing your identity and stuttering were the first parallel I’ve been able to connect to my own life voyage/career change. I will forever be indebted to you as you so beautifully put into words my ‘aha’ moment. Thank you!