"We can resolve to start all over make a new beginning..."

As a title for each blog post I will try and find lyrics that are applicable to whatever I'm choosing to share. The above lyric came from a Tracy Chapman song called "New Beginning." Music is such a huge piece of my life and career that I feel it's only fitting it play an important role in my blog about my life and career.

I've never had a "blog" before per-se. I've had personal online journals, and I have Tumblr account where I repost interesting research. My goal for this blog is to tell about my own growth as I perceive it happening. It occurred to me recently that I truly am a completely different person today than I was a year ago. There's the obvious: I have a great job with a steady, consistent paycheck; I live on my own; I do all the normal "adult" things: bills, groceries, pets, but besides the tangible things, I have more confidence. I'm more outgoing. I'm much happier. I no longer wonder if I can really do what I went to school for. I'm here, I'm doing it, and I am good at it. I'm comfortable complimenting myself. I can graciously accept compliments from others. I don't second guess myself as often, I don't tell myself I can't do things I haven't tried yet as much as I did before.

I can see in myself a maturity I didn't have before. I am more comfortable in my own skin. I'm learning to be proud of who I am, and to love myself. Every day I get to use the gifts I've been given to enrich the lives of my residents. I've held a hand and  hummed as a resident passed from our world to the next. I've seen a person who can't remember their husband or their daughter, sing along with every word of songs they've learned throughout their lives. Every day is different. What works today, may not work tomorrow, which means each day is an adventure and an opportunity to challenge myself and work to grow. I'm hoping I remain ready to face that challenge.

At the end of one's education in Music Therapy, after graduation, after the internship, we take a test. It's similar to the nursing boards, or the Praxis for educators. It's the CBMT exam (Certification Board for Music Therapists). Passing this test gives us credentials... MT-BC (Music Therapist-Board Certified). It's important. It's expensive. It's something I've been putting off since I completed my internship in April.
My moment of challenge to myself, and my opportunity for growth this week was to call and schedule my CBMT exam. So next Thursday I will either have that MT-BC, or I won't. I'm nervous, but also confident in my ability to do well and pass. I know that I know the information. I know I'm a capable therapist. But still... it's an expensive multiple choice test where every answer is right... but one is more right than the others. I finally just decided... If I don't schedule it now, I never will, and I want the credentials. I want the certificate. I want all my hard work to be legitimate and posted right there on my business card next to my name. The score doesn't matter as long as I pass. My internship supervisor likes to say, "What do you call a MT who passes their boards by one point?   -Board Certified." I don't have to do perfectly I just have to pass. Here's hoping it goes well, and next week I can officially call myself board-certified.