Despite our uncanny ability to understand and relate to other people, some human experiences, like living with substance use disorder, are too complex for us to understand without having experienced it ourselves.
Even someone like Kristin Kelly Blinson, CFRE, who has spent almost a decade working with and helping people in recovery, admits she still doesn’t have all the answers.
But our conversation was full of insightful nuggets for anyone genuinely seeking to understand the experiences of people impacted by substance use disorder and those in recovery.
Kristin Kelly Blinson, President/CEO of Hope Haven Inc.– a Therapeutic Community that provides a foundation of recovery for individuals and families impacted by substance use disorder, so they can build healthy independent lives.
I often caution people to not define their purpose by WHAT they do but WHY they do it.
If your purpose is to be a teacher, for example, and that for some reason you can't do it, then you're likely to feel lost, without purpose.
However, if your purpose is to help people reach their full potential, then you could do it as a teacher, but also as a coach, entrepreneur or therapist.
A close look at Kristin's professional trajectory reveals the power of this idea in motion.
She started her career as a public school teacher, where she witnessed the impact of the systemic inequities of race, socio-economic status, and educational opportunity.
It was a formative experience that led to a career in fundraising at Davidson College, where she helped raise millions of dollars for need-based financial aid.
Prior to joining Hope Haven, she worked at Charlotte Rescue Mission, playing an integral role in the launch of Community Matters Cafe, a social enterprise and Life Skills Program in uptown Charlotte.
Though I'm sure the dots didn't always seem to connect looking forward, it's clear how purpose connects them looking backwards.
Empathy-Led EP20/S02
To learn more about Hope Haven and to support the mission https://hopehaveninc.org/