I learned to center and lead with my heart/spirit- and moved away from fear and ego. It was, and still is, a daily practice that requires conditioning. The outcome is a deeper understanding of who I am and what I stand for; a profound connection to everything around me; and an ability to remain in alignment with my purpose. Despite my education and experience in mental health, the real lessons I learned about healing came from the wisdom in my blood, culture and community. Today, my social work practice is guided by a combination of formal education and the knowledge I acquired along my journey.