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strength of character isn't always about WHO AM I?

how much you can handle before you

break. It's also about how much you can

handle after you've been broken. I am Kathy Mela, Mindset Navigator.
Kathy fatigued? I am!
Are you tired, exhausted? Are you compassion

My life is filled with joy as a mother, granny, moth-

Family is KEY to my life.
are adopted by us as children. About choose whether those perceptions were a blessing over the years and er-in-law, daughter, sister and friend.
50% of our beliefs are ingrained in us serve us. Only then do we get the allowed me to financially care for my
by the time we are 4. We have about opportunity to make changes, true family as well as be physically and emo- My life has also been filled with adventure and
80% of our perceptions of life by the core belief changes. I believe change tionally present in my children’s and experiences where I felt extremely compassion
time we are 8. happens one degree at a time, like grandchildren’s lives. fatigued:
turning a ship. Is this easy? It can be.
That means most of us run around I believe it has everything to do with While raising 4 children as a single par-
making decisions like 8 year olds. your mindset around whether some- ent and working full time plus overtime As a single mom
thing is easy or hard. as a nurse/nurse practitioner, I devel- As a nurse and empathetic caregiver
By age 18-21 we’ve adopted about 95 oped the mindset that as a woman, I As a leader
% of our beliefs—how we view life had to prove myself to be strong, inde- And as a woman proving myself to be strong, inde-
and how we run our lives. Very few of Henry Ford once said, pendent and able to do it ALL!! pendent and able to do it ALL
our beliefs come to us as adults UN- “Whether you think you CAN or think
LESS we make a conscious effort to you CAN’T—you’re RIGHT.” I worked HARD and got stuck in the rut
evaluate and shift our belief patterns. of my life, all while feeling resentment, This mindset of being able to do it all is exhausting.
Changing My Story frustration, anger and bitterness. For I believe in the power of our minds and that
The thing about beliefs and percep- Working in the healthcare industry years, I stayed in this rut of resent- thoughts do become things. We create our world
tions is that THEY ARE CHANGEABLE. has been my life for over 40 years. I ment and MAJOR resistance to my through our thoughts, words and actions and we
It is POSSIBLE to change. First, we became a nurse because I wanted to circumstances. I was a victim. I was a have the power to create a new societal mindset of
must be willing to take a look at our help people and I was fascinated with divorced, single parent trying to do it all
beliefs and be willing to take a look at our minds. I went into nursing to be with little to no outside help. love and support; a new mindset where we don’t
what’s going on in our heads. What’s a “psych” nurse. When I saw firsthand have to be/do/have it all; where we focus on com-
going on in our heads comes out the clinical side of psychology treat- In 2011, I began my personal growth munity, connection, love and support.

What’s Your Story? in our words and our actions. Our ment, I knew it was not for me. journey. Through several courses and
We all have a story. As human beings, thoughts become our words which Throughout my nursing career, my personal coaching experiences, the As a lifelong learner and seeker of knowledge &
we are storytellers. We all love to tell become our actions which become personal motto has been to treat my light began to shine in my life. Ques- wisdom through experiential learning, I offer a
and listen to a great story. The ques- our habits which become our charac- patients and their families as I would tions! POWERFUL questions! That’s sanctuary and safe space for compassion fatigued
tion is, “Is the story you’re telling one ter. want anyone I love to be treated. what helped me. Coaches asking me caregivers and healthcare professionals to walk
that’s serving you?” questions. Me thinking about the ques-
CHANGE! What if there are parts of The next logical area to pursue for me tions, getting triggered because I didn’t through the challenge of looking deep at their
our story we want to change? When was pediatrics because of my love want to look at the answers, walking beliefs & choices. Together we create a space of ac-
Often, it is not our whole story that
isn’t serving us, it can be portions of you hear the word “change”, what and connection to children. The first through the uncomfortableness of ceptance, purpose and worthiness that is in align-
our story. The first step to knowing comes up for you? What’s the first job offer I received was in Neona- looking deep at my beliefs, my choices, ment with what you say you want in your life.
our story is always awareness. thing you thought when you read the tology—the care of premature and my life. Realizing I GET TO CHOOSE I am a heart centered mindset coach who loves life
word CHANGE? sick babies. After 20 years of bedside how I want to live my life and that I’ve

Our stories about ourselves are creat- nursing as a neonatal RN, I was given got ONE amazing life. Slowly, steadily and wants you to know that YOU are loved, YOU
have a purpose AND YOU MATTER!
ed from our beliefs and perceptions. How do we initiate change? First, we an opportunity to return to school I began to peel back layers and make
Most of our beliefs and perceptions must become aware of what we and become a Neonatal Nurse Practi- choices that were more in alignment
believe, then evaluate our beliefs and tioner. These career opportunities with who I really am.

18 HOT PURSUIT NATION 19