Before I received a copy of the Twelve Visions, I was mindlessly wandering…

Before I received a copy of the Twelve Visions, I was mindlessly wandering and expecting my then 4-year-old daughter to act as a miniature adult. As I read the material I realized that the way I truly think was never wrong, I was just born into the "wrong" social class. I then gave my children, then 4 and 18 months, a wonderful piece of advice: everything is a puzzle, find your pieces and put them together. When my third child was able to understand, I told him the same thing.

I now have a 7-year-old second grader who is bored with the school's curriculum, a 4-year-old kindergartner who surprised his teacher (he's the best hand washer, is the first to try to solve problems on his own before getting an adult's help, and has amazing ideas on the train set), and a 20-month-old who can already walk forward down the stairs, can open bedroom doors (round knobs!), rearranges my refrigerator without breaking any containers, and defeated his baby gate five months ago.

I, personally, have realized that I am a much stronger person than I was 2 1/2 years ago, that I speak up for myself more, grasp the meanings of phrases quicker, and that everything really is possible no matter what class you were born into. I have recognized the politicians on sight who are out for themselves, and the politicians who are truly there to help the people (locally and federally).

I no longer just believe what people tell me about any given situation, I question every possible angle of the question or situation. I have lost "friends" along the way, men who look over at the blonde behind me because they feel threatened by my intelligence, and even the alienation of family members who say I'm "crazy."

I no longer tolerate willfully ignorant people, who recognize the wrongs and refuse to change them.

My long-term goal in life is to become a third grade teacher. I would never have gotten into college if I had not woken up to reality from reading the Twelve Steps. I start my third college term at the beginning of October.