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LEARN

12/29/2023

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Whenever I get WORLDE in one guess, I feel like it’s a sign. I’m one of those people who switches their starting word every day based on my current mood or thoughts at the time I decide to play the game.

Yesterday I was thinking about the end of the year and what stood out the most as I reflected on how I feel now versus January 1, 2023.  I learned a lot of new information about a situation that has preoccupied my mind for years. I learned so much about myself with the final resolution of that conflict. And, I have started planning 2024 with new opportunities to learn by signing up for a couple of writing groups so I can hopefully take my experience and create something that could help others and myself. So I typed in LEARN on my Wordle board and it was all green. YES!


One of the greatest gifts I received this year was meeting someone who shared a similar experience with me. Our relationship started with a “Thank you” from her to me, but I want to end this year by publicly thanking her as well. 

I am not alone. 

When the attorney for the Commonwealth told me there was a “zero percent chance” based on her experience that I was the only one harmed by this therapist, I believed her. It took less than a month to have proof that she was right. 
​

On January 8, 2022 I posted a public review on Google indicating that I filed a complaint with the VDHP because I hoped someone who could relate would reach out to me.

​It worked.
​

I never realized how liberating it would be to finally connect with another woman who knew firsthand what I had gone through in “therapy” because she could have told the same story that I shared with the investigator. It’s heartbreaking to finally know for certain that I wasn’t alone in being hurt by this psychologist, but it’s been a huge relief to accept that there wasn’t something uniquely and inherently wrong with me that allowed it to happen.

It wasn’t ME, it was his MO. 

But this post isn’t about him and the damage he inflicted on at least two people (and undoubtedly many more). It’s about how justice and public accountability in this case finally led to new and valuable connections. 

Empathic and intelligent people can stay in damaging relationships for many reasons. We can rationalize. We can analyze. There’s nothing wrong with being a caring person who wants to be cared about. There’s nothing wrong with being a person who is eager to fix things or who works hard to make things right. 

I am so proud of myself for having the courage to file a complaint with the Department of Health Professions and to submit a Google review with my real name. There were many moments over the past three years when I regretted my decisions and feared there would be no good outcome. I’m so relieved to know my actions have made a difference and helped others. Because I did both of these things, I was able to meet another strong and brave woman who in a very short amount of time has made a huge impact on my life. There is so much power in sharing and in listening.  

I hope 2024 is a year where both of us continue to learn new ways to heal and to grow, to find purpose and to continue moving forward.

Thank you to my newest friend.
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Wordle Stories

3/1/2023

 
For awhile I’ve wanted to share all my Wordle guesses and then create short short stories from them. I like to think of Wordle as a horoscope or journal prompt for me. I pick different starter words every day based on my mood or what’s on my mind. I love the creative journey! Hopefully I can make a habit out of sharing my guesses like I have been at playing the game and sharing scores with my group text of family who are equally invested in playing this game. 
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WORDLE

1/31/2023

 
⬛⬛⬛🟩⬛
🟨🟨⬛🟩⬛
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩


Sometimes the only daily communication I get from my very busy husband (he’s the chair o of the English Department at Wichita State University)  is his WORDLE score sent to our group chat of dedicated WORDLE players which includes me, Fran, my daughter annalivia, and my older sister Heather).

I’m competitive so I love when I “beat” him, but he always reminds me, “It’s not a competition.” Sure. Ok. Ha ha.

I’ve been thinking of writing short short stories based on my WORDLE boards. I’ve also thought about all the 5 letter words I could use to describe myself. It’s a fun and creative exercise. 

HONOR
TRUTH
TREAT 
TRACK
VALID
CLEAR
SHARE
GOALS
NEEDY
ALONE
FEARS
​FUNNY
BRAVE
ARTSY
​SORRY
​FORCE
GIFTS
​WORRY
​TOUGH
MOVES
​ALIVE


Learn more about my WORDLE enthusiasm.
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Connections

11/14/2022

 
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​4. Engaging in intentional or negligent conduct that causes or is likely to cause injury to a client;
 
8. Violating or aiding and abetting another to violate any statute applicable to the practice of the profession, including § 32.1-127.1:03 of the Code of Virginia relating to health records;

9. Withdraw from, avoid, adjust, or clarify conflicting roles with due regard for the best interest of the affected party and maximal compliance with these standards;

From RIGID to MEDAL
This is the second most meaningful Wordle board after getting DREAM in just one try on Day 4 of The Virginia Film Festival when I was thinking of my temp role at VAFF as the DREAM JOB! 😴 💼 🎥 

RIGID is a word used to describe me by a therapist who now has a hearing scheduled in February 2023, two years and 5 months after I filed the complaint. All I wanted was a public record. I got it! ✔️🏅

I’m still trying to process what it means to finally get something I so desperately wanted: VALIDATION. Acknowledgement by an unbiased Board that what happened to me was either negligent or intentionally harmful (or “causing injury”).

It’s hard to believe that I finally received an email about the progress of my complaint after having the first phase of my exit interview with VAFF, when I connected these two events in my last post, I had no idea that this day would come while I was still working at the Festival.
 
Stay tuned for more about my desire for connections and finding meaning in my work - the writing, the therapy, and the job. 

WORDLE

10/14/2022

 
I LOVE WORDLE! I even am making a bunch of wordle-themed Halloween costumes and Christmas cards. 

See more of my Wordle obssession including my favorite cartoons, screenshots of my boards, etc. 
agoodgroup.com/wordle.html


WELLNESS CHECK
by leah connor

If I don't share my Wordle score
Please send a wellness check to my door
I may be dead or captive

If Garmin shows me inactive
If I suddenly feel attractive
These are signs not to ignore
Please send a welfare check to my door

If I look rich instead of broke
If I see a bear that I can’t poke
If I never laugh at a joke
Please check in on me

If I stop being the squeaky wheel
If I quit obsessing about how I feel
If you think it’s worth the trek
Please check in on me

If my tweets seem jejune
If I text "no worries" or "soon”
If I speak without saying "I'm sorry”
If I'm not bold, anything but chary
If I rant without expletives
If I pass a test for stress
I may be under duress

If I pretend I don't care
Or write a blog but don't overshare
If I don't keep a promise
If I'm not brutally honest
If I can’t imagine the absolute worst
If I grab a Pepsi to quench my thirst
It’s not me

​If I don’t celebrate Christmas before Halloween
If I’m not a Hallmark-y glued to the tv screen

If I don’t lose something of value every day
Or fail to admit I‘m atheist before I pray

If I don’t offer to take the blame
If I don’t live off guilt and shame
It‘s not me

If I miss a chance to self-deprecate
And start showing up an hour late
It’s not me

If I avoid self checkout, trash Apple Pay
If I make the choice to leave today
It’s not me

If I ask for sex, but decline a hug
Cancel the doc who might prescribe a drug
It’s not me

If I love the chimes when there’s a breeze
If I see the forest instead of trees
It’s not me

If I decide to just let it go
If I stop admitting what I don’t know
It’s not me

If I’m ever satisfied without wanting more
If I don’t share my Wordle score
Please check in on me



​
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    @leahcville

    1/2 of  @TwinsRun
    Wife of @SportingKyd
    Mom of 2 with James Joyce inspired names
    Director of @RivannaMarathon
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  • Home
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