Claire Damken Brown, the founder and president of Damken Brown & Associates, a Colorado consulting firm that specializes in diversity and equal employment opportunity strategies, defines diversity simply as “the ways people differ and qualities of being unique at both an individual and group level.” As organizational numbers increase, complexity increases also. Diversity should be treated as a tool that enhances the ability to reach complex problems and situations. The University of Southern Mississippi has an on-campus population of nearly 15,000 with 7 nationalities represented, and I had the ability to be a part of a student body that chose to stand behind our President when the decision to take the state flag down, as it does not represent the Mississippi we are today.
When discussing overall health and its factors, very rarely is it popular to address emotional health and the impact it has on personal wellbeing; at least, that was the case for me. For years, I battled with difficulties that stemmed from the Traumatic Brain Injury I sustained when I was younger. Pride got in the way of me addressing real problems in the form of shortcomings, and behavioral issues dominated the platform for finding answers. Through trial and error, I continually pushed the envelope until I had my back against the wall; my grades were not anywhere near my potential, money wasn't in my wallet (despite working 30+ hours a week), and relationships were being tarnished in the process. In November 2018, I finally admitted I needed help, and started seeing a psychiatrist in Hattiesburg. Since then, I finally have found a balance in my life that has lead to a more healthy, productive lifestyle. In saying this, I always aim to help others in similar situations. There is no shame in asking for help when you need it, and I am more than grateful for the opportunity to help those in need.
Like I stated in my "About" page, I genuinely believe that travel encourages personal growth, and allows for experiences to open new thought streams on different perspectives. I haven't ever been given the opportunity to leave the country (which is something I look forward to doing very soon), but I have traveled the majority of the United States. If nothing else, I hope that you get the chance to visit some of my favorite places that I have been to! Each of the locations listed below has a hyperlink that will take you to a new page, and give you an overview of the site.