About Me
Originally from the South Bronx in New York, my love for art and music began at an early age. Trained initially for seven years in classical piano, I also loved the theatre, painting, and any type of arts and crafts. But while the arts has always been a passion of mine, they took a backseat in my life, because education and getting a higher degree were emphasized strongly in my family. Therefore, I went on to receive degrees in education, school counseling, and ultimately a Ph.D. in Psychology. My zeal for creativity resurfaced again, when I researched and wrote about women in midlife who transitioned from a traditional career to a creative one in my doctoral dissertation, Unleashing Your Hidden Muse: The Discovery and Expression of Creativity in Midlife. The words of one of the participants, Diana Gabaldon, the author of the Outlander series of novels, were especially memorable. Diana said that “When in a state of flow, it's working - you’re not ... and when it’s not flowing, you're working. That’s like shoveling rocks uphill. Struggling for results produces the wrong results.” Her words still remain an inspiration to be mindful of what does not feel authentic and to change it.
I believe firmly in the transformative power of creativity and self-expression to guide us through life’s most significant changes. With years of experience also as a coach helping individuals to navigate life changes, when I retired as a university professor, I decided to focus a part of my own work on being an intuitive artist and writer. I needed to “feed my soul” with what I love to do. So, I understand how the creative process releases new insights, can heal emotional and physical issues, and spark personal transformation or at least, a clarity on one’s life purpose. In one example, in learning that I needed to heal my own grief instead of repressing it, I continued writing and finished my first poetry book, AUTHENTICITY, based on my life experiences. I decided to incorporate my love for creative arts and writing into my work.
