KEY NOTES ABOUT ME
The son of two remarkable parents, I am part of the first generation in my family to be born in this country. Our Mexican heritage has helped me overcome some obstacles. My parents have always taught me to stand tall in adversity. They instilled in me the importance of retaining our integrity and pride, regardless of our challenges.
FUNDAMENTAL MOMENTS
Growing up, I had a solid foundation that helped me achieve numerous accomplishments that I am proud of today. One of my proudest moments was becoming a trained peer counselor in high school, where I helped my peers process a traumatic event that occurred at our school due to gun violence, which resulted in the loss of three of our schoolmates. I also became a trained phone operator for a national suicide hotline, where I developed excellent communication skills that helped me connect with the callers, who oftentimes were as young as eleven years old who needed to be heard or understood.
These tools helped me be a good resource for local churches and schools through mentorship opportunities. Additionally, I have experience as a sponsor, facilitator, and speaker at various meetings and events. My primary goal is to improve the overall experience of those around me.
FACING ADVERSITY
Losing a loved one is never easy, and in my case, I experienced the pain of losing my First Gay friend to a drunk diver when I was younger. He showed me the ropes and how to navigate our LGBTQIA+ community and develop a sense of pride and belonging. I also lost my dog and my youngest sibling in a short period, only two months apart.
Coping with these losses was excruciating, but I learned to stay strong and keep moving forward.
FORGING A NEW PATH
Lastly, I made the bold decision to pursue a new career path. Forging a new path can be intimidating, but regretting not taking any action can be even more frightening while laying on our deathbeds. Events made it very clear to me, and I took a leap of faith: Making the Bold Move to Embrace a New Calling After a 24-Year Career was nerve wrecking, but necessary to save myself!
– I firmly believe, “When good people do well, good people simply do more good in the world.” – Lisa Nichols.
Wow, that was an inspiring read. My children are a mix of Hispanic (fathers heritage) and English (my heritage) and your avatar is actually a spitting image of my son 🙂
I totally admire your resilience, and the drive you have to help and guide others especially after what you have endured. I’m a great believer that the best help comes from those who have experienced traumatic events themselves, although as sad and as hard as it is for one to endure.
You may like to edit this line….(dunk diver) when i was…am I right that it’s meant to be (drunk driver) 🙁
I wish you all the best, take care!
Michelle – Eco TIGA
Came across this heartfelt narrative about someone named Methe and his extraordinary family, and it’s genuinely moving. The author’s storytelling paints a vivid picture of resilience and character, making you feel like you’re right there in the moments that shaped them. If you’re into stories that celebrate the strength of family bonds, this read is a beautiful testament to the impact of remarkable parents on an individual’s journey.
I was touched by your heartfelt reflections on being the child of remarkable parents. Your gratitude and admiration shine through in your writing. Have you found that growing up with such inspiring role models has shaped your aspirations and values in a particular way? I’ve found that my parents’ influence has had a profound impact on my own choices and outlook on life.
Your acknowledgment of the challenges and expectations that come with being their child is relatable. Balancing the desire to live up to their legacy while forging one’s own path can indeed be a delicate balance. How do you navigate this balance between honoring their influence and carving your unique identity? It’s a topic many of us grapple with, and your insights would be valuable. Thank you for sharing your personal journey—it’s both touching and thought-provoking!
Hi Pasindu,
My apologies for not getting back to you sooner. I am currently grappling with this issue not only my parents but my family. I have realized that sometimes, we must let go of the idea behind our upbringing to be able to give birth to a higher version of ourselves.
What I mean by this is not to forgo our parents and cultural upbringing. I cherish those things because they fully reflect and complement who “I am.” Parents can tell us who we could or even should be. However, the decision of who “I am” is solely my own.
I recently heard or read somewhere, and I wish I could remember to share it with you, but it talked about our life story. It said [paraphrasing] something like, “When it’s time to tell my life story, I wanna tell my story, not someone else’s version of how they thought my life story was. I want to own all the scraps and scars endured. I want to own the good, the bad, and all the fun I had along the way. ”
I hope if anything, this is some food for thought.
Best Regards,
-jcg
The journey you’ve shared is profoundly touching, resonating deeply with the universal themes of resilience, identity, and transformation. Your experiences as the son of immigrants, coupled with the substantial personal losses you’ve faced, are moving.
Alongside this, your commendable service as a peer counselor and suicide hotline operator illustrates a remarkable strength and dedication to helping others. This blend of personal trials and commitment to community support is noteworthy.
These experiences underscore how challenges shape our personal identities and our capacity to empathize and aid those around us. Your story is a vivid example of how adversity can foster a deep sense of compassion and drive to make a positive impact. It’s a reminder that our toughest experiences often lead to our most significant contributions to society.
I really enjoyed reading about you. It’s my pleasure meeting you. I especially liked the tribute to your parents. When they are exceptional, you should always praise them because thanks to them, your days will be longer on earth. Also, life is full of challenges and adversity, but this is how you become a man/a woman of worth. I hope you’ll flourish in your new career path; and I wish you good luck!