traceyclark - i am enough - I am Enough from Jodi Crane

Tuesday

Aug102010

I am Enough from Jodi Crane

Tuesday, August 10, 2010 at 12:00AM

As a young girl and adolescent I was tall, skinny, and flat-chested. On top of that I was very shy. Scared- of- my- own- shadow shy.

As a preacher’s kid I thought everyone was watching me, holding me up to some unclear standard, and then judging me negatively. In actuality I was probably the one who was doing the most judging of myself.

My ultra-sensitivity and tendency to see the glass half-empty only compounded matters, resulting in depression.

Fast forward to today. I’m a wife and mother, still tall and flat-chested, and not so skinny.

It’s taken me two rounds of counseling in my late teens and 20’s and plenty of life experience to say:

I AM ENOUGH.

If you were to see me teaching my students or presenting to my peers, you might be surprised to know that young girl was me. And yet, at times, I can still be a bit shy and prone to the blues. But it's okay now because I know the truth.

I have the fortunate opportunity to be a play therapist. This means I get to use the therapeutic powers of play to be present with and assist clients, particularly children, who feel they aren’t enough. My ultra-sensitivity now actually helps me to be more in tune with my clients.

Each and every time I engage in play therapy I am reminded not to take myself too seriously…and I am able to continue to tell a young girl I know (me)—

YOU ARE ENOUGH!

...........

About Jodi Crane

Jodi Crane, PhD, LPCC, RPT-S, lives in a small town in Kentucky with her husband and their 11-year-old daughter and 5-year-old son. She is an Associate Professor in the School of Professional Counseling at Lindsey Wilson College and the Director of the Appalachian Play Therapy Center. Her creative sister Cori of Sacred Arts Studio inspires her as she dreams of one day writing a book and starting a playful blog.

For more information about the healing power of play therapy visit the Association for Play Therapy.

tracey |

10 Comments |

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Reader Comments (10)

sometimes I'm amazed at myself when i look back at the young girl I was as well. amazing how early on we begin the self-judgement. imagine raising our daughters (and sons) so that they could know through and through that they are enough? crossing fingers that our epiphanies now can help them in the long run! thank you for this jodi!

August 10, 2010 |

traceyclark

That truth is so powerful and moving.
Thank you for speaking it :)

August 10, 2010 |

Corinne

Isnt it wonderful how the very thing that seems a negative in our personalities ( your shyness and sensitivity) end up helping and being a blessing to ourselves AND others?!

Thanks for sharing.

August 11, 2010 |

Jakki

Just beautiful Jodi!!! I love how your sensitivity (that your previously judged)
became a strength for you and a gift for the people in your life.
xo
andrea

August 12, 2010 |

andrea scher

Jodi,
You are amazing! I was inspired reading your blog today, "I am Enough" and look forward to reading your book or Playful Blog when you write it. Be enough.......

August 13, 2010 |

Kelly Ramsey

how wonderful that you get to work with children and help them realize their potential. i hope every day that i can empower my two boys to feel like they are wonderful and enough. because they are.

August 13, 2010 |

mindy

Jodi,

Sharing your life experience like this is very moving and motivating for all of us. Your therapy makes you a better therapist, certainly, but also a wonderfully empathetic person. So glad that I got to know you in person and on facebook!

August 13, 2010 |

Pamela

Thank you everyone for your comments. I did start that blog and recently celebrated one year of blogging. You can find me at http://playcrane.blogspot.com.

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