Lifeview

I don’t have a clear or definitive answer to why we are here or what gives life meaning in a universal sense. What I do know is that life has felt most meaningful to me when I have taken on roles that place me in a position to advocate for others. In moments where I have been able to support, guide, or speak on behalf of people navigating systems they do not fully control, I have felt the strongest sense of purpose. Rather than believing life has a single, fixed meaning, I see meaning as something that develops through action, responsibility, and connection.

Much of my adult life has been spent in survival mode; financially, emotionally, or both. Because of that, stability is one of the most important values guiding my decisions and relationships. Financial and emotional security form the foundation of my life, very much in line with the bottom of Maslow’s hierarchy. With that comes protectiveness: once stability exists, I am motivated to defend it. I value loyalty deeply and expect it from the people closest to me, but I also place high importance on independence and self-sufficiency. I believe it is essential to be able to take care of oneself when others cannot or will not.

I do not subscribe to organized religion or Christianity, but I do believe in energy, karma, and the idea of working with the natural flow of the universe rather than against it. For me, spirituality is less about doctrine and more about awareness; being mindful of the energy I put out, the narratives I reinforce for myself, and whether my actions feel aligned or forced. This belief shows up in practical ways, from something as little as eating seasonally to recognizing when resistance is a sign of misalignment rather than something to push through. I believe in moving through life with intention and self-awareness, rather than constant struggle.

Family plays a central role in how I make decisions and how I understand responsibility, motivation, and resilience. My family has shaped the way I approach long-term direction. Returning to school was not simply about personal ambition, but about choosing a path that could meaningfully serve my daughter. I initially pursued nursing after the overturning of Roe v. Wade, and later shifted toward law as I grew increasingly frustrated with political decisions and systems that directly affect her future. That shift reflects a desire to be in a position to protect her, not only individually, but structurally. Becoming a mother has also made me more resilient than I once believed possible. Challenges that previously felt overwhelming now feel manageable because they are tied to a clear purpose. I am thriving with 15 credit hours, a 30-hour-a-week job, family, a special needs child, two monster dogs, and a large townhouse. I can’t comprehend how I felt so overwhelmed by 12 credit hours, no job, a beta fish, and a dorm room. Family is the foundation of my life, not as a limitation, but as the reason certain goals will happen by any means necessary.

When I think about my relationship to my country, I am aware of the gap between ideals and reality. A big reason I chose to pursue law was that I was tired of leaving decisions that impacted my life so much up to other people, and quite frankly thought I could do it better myself (my Taurus is showing). I am skeptical of systems that claim fairness while producing harm, particularly within the criminal justice system. This skepticism has shaped how I think about responsibility, advocacy, and citizenship. A fulfilling life, to me, is one where I remain reflective and intentional, willing to question or change systems rather than accept them uncritically, while continuing to grow into roles that allow me to contribute in meaningful and sustainable ways.

I define a good and fulfilling life as one that feels balanced, sustainable, and aligned. Fulfillment includes meaningful work that carries urgency and challenge, but over issues that actually matter rather than trivial problems. It also includes financial security, time with my family, and the ability to pursue long-term goals without sacrificing well-being. I do not believe in the idea of “making it” and then being done; I thrive when I have something to work toward.