"Be the change you want to see in the world" As it means to live by example and show others that change and progress can be done and it could be as powerful as an individual taking the first step.

When I was young, my father was always reading books. As it turned out, he was studying for his masters at the time and he would eventually graduate with a masters from Miami institute of Psychology. Soon after graduating he was required to take the licensing exam. It would be at total of three difficult attempts before passing. One of the memories that stands out to me as a kid is the Friday night after his third attempt at the exam. We went out to dinner and it was one of the first times I would see my father cry. A release of all his repressed stress and emotion. I can only now begin to appreciate what that weight must have felt like to him as a father. Thankfully, he would come to learn a few days later that he succeeded in passing the exam. My plan after high school was to study music or psychology. I would borrow my father’s psychology textbooks and go through them for fun. I was fascinated by the DSM IV, but music had my complete attention at the time. After applying to Berklee college of music and getting accepted I was over the moon. It seemed like a dream for the most part and school quickly became a second home. But that era would come to a halt in the summer of 2015. As a gigging musician with an affinity for vintage amps, I would herniate the disk in my lower back while lifting gear to and from gigs. I would throw my back out occasionally, but nothing in comparison to March of that year. I could barely walk and needed help just to get my socks on for work. Those few months would prove to be some of the darkest in my life.

During the Christmas holiday of 2017 I took the opportunity to pack up and drive south. I was even able to secure a teaching job within that week. So, for the next two years I taught private guitar lessons to kids at a music school and in homes. I learned to plan my lessons for students six years old all the way up to sixty. I was in students’ homes, witnessing temper tantrums. Some lessons would be observed by a student’s ABA therapist occasionally and it was about this time when my father recommended I look into becoming an RBT. Despite this, I only went as far as taking the three-day course which I surprisingly enjoyed. But seeing how my father worked on cases provided me with insight on how much more I wanted to contribute to a patient’s overall process. I understand what it takes to become an effective counselor and appreciate what a unique profession counseling is overall. Compassion, patience, professional demeanor and discretion are only a few of the qualities I have that I believe would benefit not only my future patients but the entire psychology community.

When I was a kid, my father was always reading books. As it turned out, he was studying for his masters at the time and he would eventually graduate with a masters from Miami institute of Psychology. Soon after graduating he was required to take the licensing exam. It would be at total of three difficult attempts before passing. One of the memories that stands out to me as a kid is the Friday night after his third attempt at the exam. We went out to dinner and it was one of the first times I would see my father cry. A release of all his repressed stress and emotion. I can only now begin to appreciate what that weight must have felt like to him as a father. Thankfully, he would come to learn a few days later that he passed the exam. My plan after high school was to study music or psychology. I would borrow my father’s psychology textbooks and go through them for fun. I was fascinated by the DSM IV, but music had my complete attention at the time. After applying to Berklee college of music and getting accepted I was over the moon. It seemed like a dream for the most part and school quickly became a second home. But that era would come to a halt in the summer of 2015. As a gigging musician with an affinity for vintage amps, I would herniate the disk in my lower back while lifting gear to and from gigs. I would throw my back out occasionally, but nothing in comparison to March of that year. I could barely walk and needed help just to get my socks on for work. Those few months would prove to be some of the darkest in my life.

My plan after high school was to study music or psychology. I would borrow my father’s psychology textbooks and go through them for fun. I was fascinated by the DSM IV, but music had my complete attention at the time. After applying to Berklee college of music and getting accepted I was over the moon. It seemed like a dream for the most part and school quickly became a second home. But that era would come to a halt in the summer of 2015. As a gigging musician with an affinity for vintage amps, I would herniate the disk in my lower back while lifting gear to and from gigs. I would throw my back out occasionally, but nothing in comparison to March of that year. Those few months would prove to be some of the darkest in my life. I was in constant pain and could barely focus on a simple conversation. I was a social being and here I was now, stuck at home thinking about how to maneuver getting up from the couch without triggering immense pain. So, for the next two years I taught private guitar lessons to kids at a music school and in homes. I learned to plan my lessons for students six years old all the way up to sixty. I was in students’ homes, witnessing temper tantrums. Some lessons would be observed by a student’s ABA therapist occasionally and it was about this time when my father recommended I look into becoming an RBT. Despite this, I only went as far as taking the three-day course which I surprisingly enjoyed. But seeing how my father worked on cases provided me with insight on how much more I wanted to contribute to a patient’s overall process.

It must’ve been fourth grade that I realized how useful humor could be. I would lean into humor increasingly in middle school. I quickly realized how humor and laughter could disarm people and put as all on the same side of a moment. I would be appreciated for my ability to make others laugh mostly via sarcasm. Humor was not new to my life though. I picked that up from my father. He was always making others laugh and it was a second language for him. He could shape any situation into something special that could brighten any moment. Despite this, He was taken seriously and respected by everyone that knew him. My plan after high school was to study music or psychology. I would borrow my father’s psychology textbooks and go through them for fun. I was fascinated by the DSM IV, but music had my complete attention at the time. After applying to Berklee college of music and getting accepted I was over the moon. It seemed like a dream for the most part and school quickly became a second home.

My first week in college I discovered that my roommate was the nephew of my musical idol Carlos Santana. The second week came around and I was invited to meet him backstage and attend a concert. I was freaking out to say the least. There I was, backstage and I couldn't believe Carlos Santana was standing before me, talking to me. An incredibly humble and kind person that promotes positivity and compassion to no end. One of the best days of my life and a beautiful time in my life overall.

Like most, I was having a difficult time accepting the reality of the pandemic. I had just started working three months earlier in the admissions office of Broward college. A few months into life at home I found myself working on DIY projects, practicing my bread baking and working on new music. It was around this time that I found myself eager to learn and considered returning to school. I thought I would take some courses for fun just see where things would go. I decided to take a sociology and a social psychology course as it felt applicable given the state of the world. From one day to the next I was back in the mix with classmates, assignments, due dates and I absolutely loved it. I hadn’t realized how much I missed the academic energy. I had the time to focus and really devote myself to assignments and research. I had excellent professors that inspired and challenged me. What makes me happy ultimately is learning and the pursuit of knowledge. I believe education is a mindset and I consider myself to be a student of life.

I was raised in direct response to how my parents were brought up. There was a lot of trust given to my sister and me. I was active, energetic and oftentimes would test the boundaries of their patience. They were open about their past and acknowledged the good and the bad of their circumstances. As a student school was never easy for me, I never quiet felt like I fit in. I was able to make friends, but I was very self-conscious and shy. I got along with most teachers and felt supported through elementary and middle school. When I was a kid, my father was always reading books. As it turned out, he was studying for his masters at the time and he would eventually graduate with a masters from Miami institute of Psychology. Soon after graduating he was required to take the licensing exam. It would be at total of three difficult attempts before passing. One of the memories that stands out to me as a kid is the Friday night after his third attempt at the exam. We went out to dinner and it was one of the first times I would see my father cry. A release of all his repressed stress and emotion. I can only now begin to appreciate what that weight must have felt like to him as a father. Thankfully, he would come to learn a few days later that he succeeded in passing the exam. My plan after high school was to study music or psychology. I would borrow my father’s psychology textbooks and go through them for fun. I was fascinated by the DSM IV, but music had my complete attention at the time. After applying to Berklee college of music and getting accepted I was over the moon. It seemed like a dream for the most part and school quickly became a second home. But that era would come to a halt in the summer of 2015. As a gigging musician with an affinity for vintage amps, I would herniate the disk in my lower back while lifting gear to and from gigs. During the Christmas holiday of 2017 I took the opportunity to pack up and drive south. I was even able to secure a teaching job within that week. So, for the next two years I taught private guitar lessons to kids at a music school and in homes. I learned to plan my lessons for students six years old all the way up to sixty. I was in students’ homes, witnessing temper tantrums. Some lessons would be observed by a student’s ABA therapist occasionally and it was about this time when my father recommended I look into becoming an RBT. Despite this, I only went as far as taking the three-day course which I surprisingly enjoyed. But seeing how my father worked on cases provided me with insight on how much more I wanted to contribute to a patient’s overall process. I understand what it takes to become an effective counselor and appreciate what a unique profession counseling is overall. Compassion, patience, professional demeanor and discretion are only a few of the qualities I have that I believe would benefit not only my future patients but the entire psychology community.

My plan after high school was to study music or psychology. I would borrow my father’s psychology textbooks and go through them for fun. I was fascinated by the DSM IV, but music had my complete attention at the time. After applying to Berklee college of music and getting accepted I was over the moon. I always wanted to live in Boston and felt it was destined that Berklee was located there. It would be a huge growth experience for me. It seemed like a dream for the most part and school quickly became a second home. In college, I developed daily practice routines, scheduled homework, time spent on my instrument and even when to socialize. It wasn’t until the spring of 2010 that I would find myself devoid of any routine or regimen. I was lost in the world for the first time in my life. I had graduated and moved back to Florida to regroup. I started looking for work but it wasn’t until November of that year that I would find my first job as a medical records clerk for the county jail. My position would be short-lived but serve extremely valuable. I was forced to acknowledge an alternate side of life. It would mark a shift in perspective for me about how unique each humans experience and circumstance could be. Soon after I would land a job and relocate to New York. at the apple store. New York was incredible. I would attend concerts, eat great food at all hours and try new restaurants often. Work would provide the stability and built-in social life to feel right at home again. Soon after relocating, my cousin in Boston was working full-time in music production and as he began to work on bigger projects, he was thoughtful enough to include me in projects. After two years in New York, I would move back to Boston to work on music production. I dedicated myself to composing and becoming proficient in the recording process. I felt like a student again and I was reminded of how much I enjoyed learning. During the Christmas holiday of 2017 I took the opportunity to pack up and drive south. I was even able to secure a teaching job within that week. So, for the next two years I taught private guitar lessons to kids at a music school and in homes. Enter 2020. Like most people, I was having a difficult time accepting the reality of the pandemic. I had just started working three months earlier in the admissions office of Broward college. A few months into life at home I found myself working on projects, practicing my bread baking and working on new music. It was around this time that I found myself eager to learn and considered returning to school. I decided to take a sociology and a social psychology course as it felt applicable given the state of the world. From one day to the next I was back in the mix with classmates, assignments, due dates and I absolutely loved it. I hadn’t realized how much I missed the academic energy. I had excellent professors that inspired and challenged me. My social psychology professor deserves much credit for inspiring my decision to pursue a master’s degree and has been generous enough to guide me through the application process. I understand what it takes to become an effective counselor. Compassion, patience, professional demeanor and discretion are only a few of the qualities I have that I believe would benefit not only my future patients but the entire psychology community.

Routine, regimen and consistency is everything. I begin each day with a quick stretch and recite the decision to make the day a great one. Empowering yourself is the key to keeping yourself honest and maintain a healthy mindset. It's one thing to have a day that's low stress and comfortably ride that emotional current, it's another to have curve balls thrown at you. This is where I find mindfulness comes in and allows you to recharge mentally and emotionally. Between my stretching, affirmations and mindfulness, I would say mindfulness has made the biggest impact in my life. I've found that I don't meditate, I attempt to. Each attempt is more focused and equally more rewarding. My compassion and patience for myself and others has grown tremendously due to mindfulness. I couldn't recommend it enough and I encourage people around me to make that same investment in themselves. Offer and accept these gifts for yourself and allow yourself to grow.

I was raised in direct response to how my parents were brought up. My mother would grow up never meeting her biological father. He would die as a result of injuries from a motorcycle accident a month before my mother’s birth. Her mother was emotionally and ultimately physically absent by the time she was five years old. She was primarily raised by her grandparents and aunt as her mother would go on to re-marry and begin a new life and family. My father was raised by religiously conservative parents who would actively oppress his creative interests. His mother was emotionally distant and a strict disciplinarian. There were many rules to be followed, locks on most doors, the refrigerator and even their piano. I on the other hand was raised with the understanding that my parents would be there for me every day and would try their best to be supportive in my passions and interests. There was a lot of trust given to my sister and me. I was active, energetic and oftentimes would test the boundaries of their patience. They were open about their past and acknowledged the good and the bad of their circumstances. As a student school was never easy for me, I never quiet felt like I fit in. I was able to make friends, but I was very self-conscious and shy. I got along with most teachers and felt supported through elementary and middle school. It must’ve been fourth grade that I realized how useful humor could be. I would lean into humor increasingly in middle school. I quickly realized how humor and laughter could disarm people and put as all on the same side of a moment. I would be appreciated for my ability to make others laugh mostly via sarcasm. Humor was not new to my life though. I picked that up from my father. He was always making others laugh and it was a second language for him. He could shape any situation into something special that could brighten any moment. Despite this, He was taken seriously and respected by everyone that knew him. When I was a kid, my father was always reading books. As it turned out, he was studying for his masters at the time and he would eventually graduate with a masters from Miami institute of Psychology. Soon after graduating he was required to take the licensing exam. It would be at total of three difficult attempts before passing. One of the memories that stands out to me as a kid is the Friday night after his third attempt at the exam. We went out to dinner and it was one of the first times I would see my father cry. A release of all his repressed stress and emotion. I can only now begin to appreciate what that weight must have felt like to him as a father. Thankfully, he would come to learn a few days later that he succeeded in passing the exam. My plan after high school was to study music or psychology. I would borrow my father’s psychology textbooks and go through them for fun. I was fascinated by the DSM IV, but music had my complete attention at the time. After applying to Berklee college of music and getting accepted I was over the moon. It seemed like a dream for the most part and school quickly became a second home. But that era would come to a halt in the summer of 2015. As a gigging musician with an affinity for vintage amps, I would herniate the disk in my lower back while lifting gear to and from gigs. I would throw my back out occasionally, but nothing in comparison to March of that year. I could barely walk and needed help just to get my socks on for work. Those few months would prove to be some of the darkest in my life. I was in constant pain and could barely focus on a simple conversation. I was a social being and here I was now, stuck at home thinking about how to maneuver getting up from the couch without triggering immense pain. I thought my life as a performing musician was over and with it, my entire identity as a musician. I truly thought I had lost it all. In hindsight, I had been depressed most of that year. During the Christmas holiday of 2017 I took the opportunity to pack up and drive south. I was even able to secure a teaching job within that week. So, for the next two years I taught private guitar lessons to kids at a music school and in homes. I learned to plan my lessons for students six years old all the way up to sixty. I was in students’ homes, witnessing temper tantrums. Some lessons would be observed by a student’s ABA therapist occasionally and it was about this time when my father recommended I look into becoming an RBT. Despite this, I only went as far as taking the three-day course which I surprisingly enjoyed. But seeing how my father worked on cases provided me with insight on how much more I wanted to contribute to a patient’s overall process. I understand what it takes to become an effective counselor and appreciate what a unique profession counseling is overall. Compassion, patience, professional demeanor and discretion are only a few of the qualities I have that I believe would benefit not only my future patients but the entire psychology community.

Like most, I was raised in direct response to how my parents were brought up. My mother would grow up never meeting her biological father. He would die as a result of injuries from a motorcycle accident a month before my mother’s birth. Her mother was emotionally and ultimately physically absent by the time she was five years old. She was primarily raised by her grandparents and aunt as her mother would go on to re-marry and begin a new life and family. My father was raised by religiously conservative parents who would actively oppress his creative interests. His mother was emotionally distant and a strict disciplinarian. There were many rules to be followed, locks on most doors, the refrigerator and even their piano. I on the other hand was raised with the understanding that my parents would be there for me every day and would try their best to be supportive in my passions and interests. As a student school was never easy for me, It must’ve been fourth grade that I realized how useful humor could be. I would lean into humor increasingly in middle school. I quickly realized how humor and laughter could disarm people and put as all on the same side of a moment. I would be appreciated for my ability to make others laugh mostly via sarcasm. Humor was not new to my life though. I picked that up from my father. He was always making others laugh and it was a second language for him. He could shape any situation into something special that could brighten any moment. Despite this, He was taken seriously and respected by everyone that knew him. My plan after high school was to study music or psychology. I would borrow my father’s psychology textbooks and go through them for fun. I was fascinated by the DSM IV, but music had my complete attention at the time. I always wanted to live in Boston and felt it was destined that Berklee was located there. It would be a huge growth experience for me. Living in a dorm, on my own, needing to manage my time and learn to live with different types of personalities. It seemed like a dream for the most part and school quickly became a second home. In college, I developed daily practice routines, scheduled homework, time spent on my instrument and even when to socialize. I was creature of habit and much like obsessed gym goers, I felt anxious and off whenever I missed even part of my routine. My position would be short-lived but serve extremely valuable. I was forced to acknowledge an alternate side of life. It would mark a shift in perspective for me about how unique each humans experience and circumstance could be. At that time, I was still self-conscious about my appearance and two weeks into the job I learned quickly to let go of those types of concerns and literally walk past the discomfort. By discomfort, I mean a line of inmates staring me down every time I walked past or shared a space. Soon after I would land a job at the apple store and knew I could use the position as a steppingstone to get to my next location, New York. I would work at the location in Fort Lauderdale for about a year before I began discussing a transfer to New York. As a gigging musician with an affinity for vintage amps, I would herniate the disk in my lower back while lifting gear to and from gigs. I would throw my back out occasionally, but nothing in comparison to March of that year. I could barely walk and needed help just to get my socks on for work. Those few months would prove to be some of the darkest in my life. I was in constant pain and could barely focus on a simple conversation. I was a social being and here I was now, stuck at home thinking about how to maneuver getting up from the couch without triggering immense pain. I thought my life as a performing musician was over and with it, my entire identity as a musician. I truly thought I had lost it all. In hindsight, I had been depressed most of that year. A few months of physical therapy with little improvement led me to have an MRI and three days later I would be scheduled for surgery. I remember receiving a call from the nurse to schedule the surgery consult. She was shocked I was still able to even somewhat walk given the level of my injury. The pain I was in prior to the surgery was so intense that I woke up with complete relief. Even with a hole in my lower back, I felt better. So, for the next two years I taught private guitar lessons to kids at a music school and in homes. I learned to plan my lessons for students six years old all the way up to sixty. I was in students’ homes, witnessing temper tantrums. Some lessons would be observed by a student’s ABA therapist occasionally and it was about this time when my father recommended I look into becoming an RBT. Despite this, I only went as far as taking the three-day course which I surprisingly enjoyed. But seeing how my father worked on cases provided me with insight on how much more I wanted to contribute to a patient’s overall process. Enter 2020, It was around this time that I found myself eager to learn and considered returning to school. I thought I would take some courses for fun just see where things would go. I decided to take a sociology and a social psychology course as it felt applicable given the state of the world. From one day to the next I was back in the mix with classmates, assignments, due dates and I absolutely loved it.