Today we’d like to introduce you to Janice Ringstaff.
Hi Janice, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
My story began in a high school counselor’s office located in a small, close-knit community in central Alabama. The very spot where one would assume that education, encouragement, and enthusiasm would flourish. The conversation that took place in that inner office ignited a spark of determination that continues to burn today. However, the anger and disbelief that fueled that spark have long since changed to a carefully tended flame that inspires, embraces, and uplifts, that painful conversation actually pushed me to move beyond restraints that someone else had envisioned for me. Today, I appreciate that conversation. I’m still unable to excuse it, but I’m capable of accepting it and seeing it in a different way.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Has it been a smooth road? No. There have been struggles; real ones, painful ones, some I wish I could forget, and most I hope to always remember.
*Attending night classes and community college classes to ensure I graduate high school on time
* Being ridiculed by some for being a seventeen-year-old mom
* Hearing and accepting unfair judgment about my intelligence, intent, and integrity from people I thought would show unconditional love (Funny, they were sometimes the majority and the minority group)
* Being introduced to adulthood before I wanted to be welcomed to the club
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
My work life has been extraordinarily. As a Registered Nurse, I’ve been afforded opportunities to work in some amazing healthcare facilities (University of Alabama Hospital-Birmingham and Scottish Rite Hospital-Dallas, Texas… I have fun thoughts and loving memories that I cherish from both places. Each hospital taught. me how leadership and survival skills and an integral part of everyday life in all settings among all people. Nursing has been compared to working as angels of mercy and trojans of strength. Both are very valid descriptions. Many shifts were covered as part of a hospital team and as a single person traveling. Sometimes the distance seemed to go on forever; while driving in the late evening on rural roads with a hope that you don’t fall asleep as you clock 100 miles for the day. As with many hospitals, focus on providing the best, up-to-date, innovative, and compassionate care possible was a priority (and still is), but my greatest joy with both sites, was the ability to foster life-long friendships.
Currently, I am working as a licensed Professional Counselor in the DFW area. Helping families, couples, individuals, and groups learn ways to live harmoniously and authentically is a treasure that I don’t take lightly. When a person opens their world of existence to you, one should enter respectfully, carefully, gratefully, honestly, and hopefully. Inviting someone to consider changing their thoughts, responses, and expectations; asking them to allow you to journey with them, and to trust you with unconditional acceptance is a bold step for anyone to take. Counseling is more than a job or jargon, it’s a mission of the heart (that is based on sound principles of study, patience, prayer, and even patience).
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs, or other resources you think our readers should check out?
A few of my favorite books: The Art of Racing in the Rain, The Day After Spring Break, Parched No More, The Velveteen Rabbit, Praying Circles Around your Children, When Breathe Becomes Air, The Power of Showing Up, and the Bible. A longtime practice I continue to participate in is the gift of the printed word. I love reading and I try to be inclusive with my selections. (Smiles) I am known to give books as baby shower options, clothes will be outgrown but a good book will last for generations (Wait- that doesn’t mean the child can’t use the clothes!!!— be sure and send them along with a book!!!).
I enjoy being “present”, being in the moment with life, a person, a place, or a thought. People are precious and their stories can be inspiring. Oftentimes I find that it’s such a simple pleasure to just be still and attentive.
What’s my greatest joy? Outside of Christ, it’s my children, grandchildren, family, and friends. Sharing my love of travel, writing, home decor, and cooking are my well-known, and often exploited (happily so) hobbies. My life is a podcast on the move.
I think the apps most used on my phone are Youversion, Pandora, and Spotify. The least used is DuckDuckGo, I’m not even sure when I added that one (no offense intended)
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
