Some precious metals are refined by fire such that when they are put through fire again they are not burned and come out pure, like gold. Our Fire-refined GEMS have experienced many ups and downs, and twists and turns throughout life. However, as they have gone through the fire of life, they have not been burned. Instead, they were strengthened, purified, and refined into amazing, strong, resilient women who are a force to be reckoned with. PŪR GEMS celebrates our Fire-refined GEMS!
October's Fire-refined GEM
Ms. Tracy J. Brunson
Ms. Brunson is an experienced Psychologist/Co-Teaching Specialist in Tampa Florida. PŪR GEMS had an opportunity to meet with Ms. Brunson to get insight into her journey to become a Fire-refined GEM! Here's what she had to say.
1. As a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
Response: To be perfectly honest, the first thing that I can remember wanting to be is a Go-Go Dancer (smile). However, my father quickly squelched that dream! I then wanted to become a pediatrician.
2. What did you become and how has that impacted your life?
Response: I am an educator. It is rewarding to know that I am helping to mold young lives.
3. What would you consider to be your greatest accomplish to date and why?
Response: My greatest accomplishment, to date, is that of being a mother and to have raised a child to adulthood.
4. How do you define self-love?
Response: Self-love, to me, is accepting who I am, flaws and all, and knowing that I am loveable, valuable, and capable because I am created in the image of God.
5. What is one thing you had to improve about yourself in order to succeed?
Response: I had to reduce my tendency to procrastinate and my reticence about public speaking
6. Name one thing you never want to change about yourself and why.
Response: I never want to change the compassion and empathy that I have for others. I would never want to change this because it helps me to get along with and assist others in a non-judgmental fashion.
7. When you need inspiration, how do you obtain it?
Response: I obtain inspiration from the bible, through prayer, and from children.
8. What is the best piece of advice you ever received?
Response: The best piece of advice I ever received is to keep God first in all that I do and to always have a thirst for knowledge.
9. If you could say one thing to young women everywhere, what would you say?
Response: I would pass on the same advice that I received; to keep God first in all of your endeavors. Seek His face, pray for His guidance in all that you do and everything else will fall into place.