I always wanted to be a Cheerleader. Every Saturday growing up, my parents took my siblings and me to University of Michigan football games. While they watched the play on the field, I was fascinated with the cheerleaders. They were fun, exciting and got a crowd of 111,000 people on their feet and HAPPY! By age 6, I declared my dream: I wanted to be a Cheerleader when I grew up!
This dream was well and good until I tried out for the high school cheerleading squad and realized one important thing: I couldn't do the splits OR a cartwheel. My dream ended there.
As I got
older and people asked me what I wanted to “be” when I grew up, I didn't know. I was creative, so I went into marketing. In fact, I did everything “right” according to the “American dream”. I married a handsome lawyer, I was getting promotions at work and we owned a big house in the suburbs and a beautiful golden retriever. Yet by 25, I cried every day, feeling miserable and stuck. I wanted to move to the City, feel excited about work, happy in love and life, but I couldn't do any of those things. I remember thinking almost daily “This is it – this is all there is to life.”
older and people asked me what I wanted to “be” when I grew up, I didn't know. I was creative, so I went into marketing. In fact, I did everything “right” according to the “American dream”. I married a handsome lawyer, I was getting promotions at work and we owned a big house in the suburbs and a beautiful golden retriever. Yet by 25, I cried every day, feeling miserable and stuck. I wanted to move to the City, feel excited about work, happy in love and life, but I couldn't do any of those things. I remember thinking almost daily “This is it – this is all there is to life.”
Then on March 3, 2001, everything changed. It was my grandfather's birthday and though I didn’t usually go to synagogue, he was going and it was a nice escape. As I entered, my heart leapt. In the pew behind Grandpa stood Ida, my former youth group advisor. I broke down crying in her arms. She assured me it would be okay, then gave me advice: Become a youth group advisor. Within weeks I began volunteering with 40 high school girls who were filled with hopes and dreams. I found myself encouraging them to love themselves, to pursue their dreams, to be their best selves. I became their confidant and cheerleader and they became mine. I realized how much I love coaching others and I was EXCITED! I ended up getting a divorce and through the process, I led an online women’s support group of other divorcees. I then clearly heard the higher calling: I am meant to encourage women to love themselves and live fulfilling lives. I am meant to be a professional “cheerleader.” But how could this be this a “career”?
Fear crept in. I spent years researching masters programs but lost hope. I found myself again in unhealthy relationships and unfulfilling jobs. I bought a nicer car and a boat but I could hardly get out of bed I was so ashamed and empty. Then in 2008, life changed when a man followed me home and held me up at gunpoint. Knelt on the floor, I begged for my life. I made G-d a promise: If you let me live, I will pursue my dreams – I will live my purpose. With that the man took my purse and ran.
Just months later a friend wrote to me: “You're always so positive, have you seen this?” It was a link to Penn’s Positive Psychology program. Though my father told me it was the stupidest decision he's ever heard, I sold my boat, quit my job and moved to Philadelphia. It was the best decision of my life. Today, I am a coach helping people find their purpose and overcome fears to pursue their dreams. I speak with women at corporations such asAvon and Morgan Stanley about how to be successful and happy. I teach Positive Psychology at Penn and I love being the cheerleader to my students, my clients, my friends and family that I was always meant to be. I am living my DREAM and I feel blessed beyond measure!
I hope my story encourages you to pursue your dreams. Remember – EVERYTHING is possible when you follow your passion and BELIEVE in yourself.
xoxo,
Carin
