Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Yelitza Cruz-Cubano. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Yelitza, we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?
I truly believe my resilience comes from the life experiences I have had. From accompanying my grandfather to do errands due to his illiteracy at 8-9 years old, to translating and being in charge of all admin like things whenever my dad would deploy I had to develop a resilient concept of the self. I also think my military experience as well as the way that I have decided to lead my life has foster this resilience that continues to move me to overcome adversity and still help others that are struggling themselves.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I am a professional counselor at Guiding Light Counseling LLC. I started this business more than a year ago with the hopes of helping individuals within the community, more specifically children and families, to learn about themselves, their strengths and the ways they can remain true to who they are and want to be.
Currently, I am working on becoming a registered play therapist as well as a child-centered play therapist. I believe that every human being is capable of finding their own path through exploration of the self in a safe collaborative and engaging space with an authentic therapeutic relationship that encourages them to be a better version of themselves.
I also would like to continue engaging the community through seminars that encourage healthy communication patterns, attachments and overall effective interpersonal dynamics. Knowledge is one thing but knowing how and when to apply this knowledge is a completely different thing and that is what I try to focus on when leading these.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Three qualities, skills or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in my journey have been resiliency, patience (still working on mastery) and faith.
The best advice that I have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve these is to stay true to yourself, no matter what. It sounds easier said than done, but that has been my saving grace.
I have encounter plenty of people, even family, that have questioned, being oppositional or plain were not supportive but being true to myself and what I believe and want in my life has proven to be the best way to build resiliency, have patience and faith in myself and those I have chosen to have in my life no matter the season, time or circumstance.
Who has been most helpful in helping you overcome challenges or build and develop the essential skills, qualities or knowledge you needed to be successful?
I truly believe the family of creation I have besides my own family of origin have been the most helpful in helping me overcome challenges or build and develop the essential skills, qualities, or knowledge I have needed to be successful.
There is a saying at home that I strongly believe in that goes “Dime con quién andas y te diré quien eres.” which translates to “Tell me who you hang out with and I will tell you who you are” and this has been very true in how I have seen the individuals that I have surrounded myself in every stage of my life.
I have learned to better tune this dial as the years have progressed and feel blessed for those friends that have come, are still here and those that will come.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.guidinglightcounselingllc.net/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/guiding-light-counseling-llc/?viewAsMember=true
- Other: Self LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yelitza-cruz-cubano-ma-plpc-1ba117102/
